LORMAN &045; For Prairie View, it was a relief that took too long to arrive.

For Alcorn State, it may just the most recent step in what will be a very long year.

The Panthers got their first win of the season, a 76-69 victory over Alcorn State in the Southwestern Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

&uot;It feels great to win,&uot; Prairie View head coach Jerry Francis said. &uot;This gives us some momentum, so hopefully we can build on that throughout the SWAC season.&uot;

In a game that came down to the final minutes, it was apparent that these were two teams desperate to win. But in the closing minutes, it was Prairie View’s execution in the clutch that provided the difference.

The Panthers hit six of eight free-throw attempts and got another basket in the final 1:37 to win the game, outscoring Alcorn 9-2 in that stretch.

&uot;We were able to react to what they did, we made some big shots and got some rebounds. That really helped,&uot; Francis said. &uot;We also hit some free throws, not every one, but we hit the ones that counted.&uot;

Alcorn missed a layup and shot one air ball and missed another from behind the arc in that same period, ending any chances the Braves had to win.

&uot;We’re just very undisciplined right now, and we have no cohesiveness,&uot; Alcorn head coach Samuel West said. &uot;That was the problem. We played together to get back in it, then we tried to go one-on-one instead of playing as a team.&uot;

Prairie View outscored Alcorn 22-12 down the stretch on the strength of solid guard play that evaded the Braves’ press and good free-throw shooting.

Alcorn had to fight just to get back in the game in the second half. After trailing by as many as 15 points early in the second half, Alcorn fought its way back, taking the lead briefly when Almaad Jackson hit three of four free throws on successive plays, the last free throw giving the Braves a 57-56 lead with 9:06 left.

&uot;I’m pleased we got back in the game,&uot; West said. &uot;You have to try to find a positive in everything.&uot;

It would be the only time in the second half the Braves would lead. Prairie View led by as many as 15 points at 47-32 early in the second half before the Braves started their comeback.

Then Almaad Jackson started taking over for Alcorn. Jackson scored seven points during a 10-0 run that pulled the Braves back to within seven with 14:06 left in the game.

For the game, Jackson had 18 points, tying Delvin Thompson for the lead on their team. Jackson’s play keyed a front line that had one of its best games of the season, though Alcorn forwards turned the ball over 13 times.

&uot;(Our big men) played well, they played hard,&uot; West said. &uot;But they also had 13 turnovers, so that negates their good play.&uot;

After consecutive baskets by the Panthers’ Jared Ellison, Alcorn went on another run, outscoring Prairie View 11-1 in a stretch in which five different Braves scored. That tied the game at 54-54, setting the stage for the exciting ending.

Prairie View opened up the game running and got out to an early 34-23 lead midway through the first half.