Box Score
TAMPA, Fla.- A season filled with milestones, resilience, and history came to an end Friday night as Prairie View A&M fell to the top-seeded Florida Gators, 114-55, at Benchmark International Arena.
While the final score didn't reflect the journey, the Panthers (19-18) close out one of the most memorable seasons in program history highlighted by a SWAC Tournament championship and the program's first-ever First Four victory in the NCAA Tournament over the Lehigh Mountain Hawks.
Prairie View A&M showed flashes of fight throughout the contest, with Tai'Reon Joseph leading the way with 16 points. Dontae Horne added 12 points, closing out a standout season in which he emerged as one of the SWAC's premier scorers. Inside, Hassane Diallo contributed a strong effort on the glass with eight rebounds and two blocks.
Florida's depth and size proved difficult to overcome, as the Gators built an early advantage and carried a 60-21 lead into halftime. Despite the deficit, the Panthers continued to compete, getting a spark from their bench, which contributed 18 total points.
Though Prairie View A&M was unable to mount a second-half comeback, the night marked the conclusion of a season that will be remembered far beyond the final buzzer.
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.
Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field and Tennis.
Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis and Volleyball.
Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at www.swac.org.