No. 1 Seed Bethune-Cookman Falls to Prairie View A&M 71–67 in SWAC Tournament Upset

By: Raymond Forte

Prairie View A&M edged Bethune-Cookman 71–67 in a tightly contested matchup that featured multiple lead changes and strong performances from both sides, with Dontae Horne leading all scorers with 30 points.

Prairie View opened the game with early momentum as Horne scored the first basket on a driving layup. The Panthers continued to push the pace with Cory Wells contributing inside and Lance Williams adding a driving layup to help build an early lead. Horne also knocked down a step-back three-pointer to extend the advantage midway through the half. Bethune-Cookman responded with strong transition play and second-chance scoring, as Jakobi Heady energized the Wildcats with a fast-break dunk after a steal while Daniel Rouzan converted multiple second-chance opportunities to keep the Wildcats within striking distance.

Prairie View created separation behind defensive pressure and interior scoring, forcing several turnovers that led to baskets from Horne, Wells, and Tai’reon Joseph to build a seven-point lead. Bethune-Cookman answered with a late run sparked by Arterio Morris, who knocked down a three-pointer before Quentin Heady added a tip-in and Morris scored on a driving layup to give the Wildcats the lead. The back-and-forth continued as Wells hit a pull-up three and Horne added another step-back three before Rouzan knocked down two free throws in the closing seconds to send both teams into halftime tied at 32–32.

The Wildcats opened the second half capitalizing on turnovers as Tyler Andrews made a free throw and Rouzan added a driving layup to take a small lead. Prairie View answered quickly behind Elijah Mitchell, who knocked down a second-chance three-pointer and followed with a driving layup to briefly put the Panthers back in front. Bethune-Cookman regained momentum with strong rebounding and second-chance scoring as Andrews connected on a three-pointer and added a tip-in, while Jakobi Heady finished around the rim to extend the Wildcats’ lead. Prairie View stayed within striking distance thanks to Wells knocking down multiple three-pointers and Horne continuing to create offense off the dribble.

Both teams continued exchanging baskets as the second half progressed, with Williams scoring in the paint and adding a free throw while Morris and Ariel Bland responded for Bethune-Cookman inside and in transition. Prairie View regained control in the final minutes as Williams scored in the paint to tie the game at 65–65 with just over two minutes remaining. Horne then delivered the decisive stretch, tying the game again at 67–67 before attacking the basket for a driving layup with 44 seconds left to give Prairie View a 69–67 lead.

Bethune-Cookman had one final opportunity to respond, but Prairie View’s defense held firm. Corey Dunning came up with a key block in the closing seconds, and after Williams missed a free throw, the Panthers held strong as Morris missed a jumper and Wells secured the rebound. Jakobi Heady committed a foul in the final moments to help Prairie View maintain control and seal the 71–67 victory.

The Panthers will move on to face the winner of Texas Southern and Alabama A&M on Friday at 2:00 PM EST.