Blackston's 30 leads Prairie View over Santa Clara 81-64
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Gary Blackston scored 30 points with eight rebounds and four steals and Prairie View A&M defeated Santa Clara 81-64 on Friday night in a season opener for both teams.
Blackston, who led the Southwestern Athletic Conference in scoring at over 19 points a game last season, was 13 of 21 from the floor and finished two points shy of his career best. He scored 13 points and JC transfer Gerard Andrus had all 14 of his in the first half when the Panthers took a 42-24 lead. A nine-point lead ballooned to 18 over the final five minutes of the half with Andrus scoring six points and Blackston five in the run.
The Panthers, who shot over 50 percent in each half, played at a deliberate pace after the break and the Broncos got only as close as 12.
Taishaun Johnson, a graduate transfer from Kent State, scored 14 points and JC transfer Darius Williams added 10. The Panthers have 12 newcomers but only one freshman.
Keshawn Justice, one of five freshman among eight Bronco newcomers, scored 15 points. Tahj Eaddy added 13 points and Josh Martin 11 with 13 rebounds. KJ Feagin, who averaged 17.5 points last season, finished with four. Santa Clara had 20 turnovers.
