Box Score

PRAIRIE VIEW, Tex. — Freddie Edo and Jonathan Dixon combined for 32 points off the Prairie View A&M bench, and the host Panthers subdued Norfolk State's second-half rally to take a 76-71 victory on Monday night at the William Nicks Building.

Edo led the Panthers (2-3) with 19 points while Dixon added 13. The pair also combined for seven rebounds and seven steals to send the Spartans (1-4) to their fourth straight loss.

Michael Deloach (Rocky Mount, N.C.) scored a career-high 20 points and Tony Murphy (Paterson, N.J.)contributed 17 to lead NSU.

PVAMU outscored the Spartans 21-6 over the final nine minutes of the first half to take a 41-22 lead into halftime. The Panthers shot 55 percent (15-of-27) while NSU managed just 33 percent (9-of-27) in the opening 20 minutes. Dixon and Aaron Smith had nine points apiece in the half.

The Panthers led by as many as 22 points in the second half and still maintained a 19-point cushion with seven minutes remaining. But Deloach scored all 16 of his second-half points in the final 7:31 of the period. Deloach also hit a career-high three 3-point field goals, the last of which brought NSU within 74-71 with 37 seconds remaining in the game.

But Brian Ezeh hit two free throws with 14 seconds left to seal the win for PVAMU.

The Panthers' biggest edge came at the foul line, where they outscored NSU 24-13. PVAMU shot 24-of-43 for the game, 18-of-29 in the second half, from the charity stripe.

The Spartans, who also got 13 points and six rebounds from Corey Lyons (Bronx, N.Y.), connected on just 50 percent of their free throws (13-of-26) on the night.

The Spartans host their first home game of the season this Saturday, Dec. 1, when North Carolina A&T visits Echols Hall for a 6 p.m. game. It is the MEAC opener for both schools.