The Jackson State Lady Tigers captured their seventh tournament title since 1982 as they defeated the Prairie View A&M Lady Panthers 63-61 Saturday night at Fair Park Arena. The win came in a rematch of last season’s tournament final – one that Prairie View won.
Erica Trahan finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two steals in the game as she guided the Lady Tigers march to a tournament title. Erlexis Cooper added 14 points and two rebounds while LaSharee Christian finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Three other players scored six points for Jackson State.
For Prairie View A&M, Shavonne Smith finished with 18 points, six rebounds and two assists while Chari Smith added 13 points, eight rebounds and a block. Twila Stokes tallied nine points and 12 rebounds in the game.
The first half saw Prairie View sluggish out of the tip missing its first few shots. The Lady Panthers began to get things in gear, but Jackson State found its niche early and often. Behind a team shooting performance of 46.7 percent, Jackson State carried a 32-25 lead into the locker room at intermission.
Prairie View came out in the second half with a renewed vigor, taking the ball and running whenever possible. The Lady Panthers’ defense also began to pick up as they held Jackson State to 29.6 percent shooting from the floor. Jackson State however continued to put the ball in the post as Cooper and Trahan combined for 17 of 31 points. Although the Lady Panthers outscored JSU 36-31, Jackson State forced 11 PVAM miscues and held on for the win.
For the game, Jackson State shot 39.6 percent from the field and forced 20 Lady Panther turnovers. Prairie View shot 41.8 percent from the field and out-rebounded the Lady Tigers 41-36.
