PINE BLUFF, Ark. – Senior guard Gary Blackston scored 29 points as Prairie View A&M defeated the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff 79-63 on Monday night at the H.O. Clemmons in Arena.

The Panthers had three other players finish in double figures, but it was Blackston who lead the way for Prairie View.  Blackston, the SWAC's second-leading scorer behind UAPB senior guard Martaveous McKnight, was 9 of 13 from the field and 10 of 15 from the free-throw line. He also pulled down 11 rebounds and had three steals for Prairie View A&M (9-11, 7-0), which has turned things around since entering league play.

Senior guard Dennis Jones had 16 points and junior forward Devonte Patterson finished with 13 points for Prairie View.

UAPB (7-13, 4-3), on the other hand, couldn't capitalize off its thrilling victory over Texas Southern last Saturday and got off to a slow start.

Sophomore forward Terrance Banyard had 18 points to lead the Golden Lions.  McKnight, who was averaging 29.3 points per game over his past three contests, finished with 13 points.

The Golden Lions didn't make their first field goal until junior forward Marquell Carter buried a three-pointer with 11:39 to go in the first half. By that time, the Panthers had built a 24-5 lead. Prairie View maintained that 19-point cushion and led 43-24 at the break.

Senior forward Charles Jackson opened up the second half with a 23-footer to trim UAPB's deficit to 43-27, but the Golden Lions could get no closer.  Prairie View A&M slowly stretched its lead to 59-35 by the midway point of the half and kept UAPB at an arm's length the rest of the way.

UAPB will now hit the road for four consecutive games, beginning Saturday night Grambling State, and won't return home until Feb. 16 when they host Southern.

FAST BREAK

· UAPB lost for the first time at the H.O. Clemmons Arena.

· Carter, along with sophomore forward Shaun Doss, both had 10 points for UAPB. Carter also had a team-leading 10 rebounds.

· Both teams got very little production off their benches with each getting seven points.

· The Panthers outscored the Golden Lions inside, finishing with a 40-22 advantage on points in the point. Prairie View A&M also scored 31 points off 24 UAPB turnovers.

· The teams have split their two regular-season meetings every year since the 2013-2014 campaign.