Trant Simpson scored 22 points and Prairie View defeated Alcorn State 68-66 in overtime Tuesday night in the Southwestern Athletic Conference opener for both teams.
Alcorn State (0-11) battled back from a five-point halftime deficit to send the game into overtime, tied at 63.
But the Panthers (4-10), despite shooting only 34.7 percent from the field (25 of 72), scored just enough in the extra period to win.
Simpson was only 7 of 20 from the field, but went 4 of 9 on 3-point tries. Brandon Webb added 14 points before fouling out as Prairie View won its second in a row.
Marquis Baker led Alcorn State with 19 points and 10 rebounds while Kendrick McDonald added 14 points. The Braves, who have won only two of their past 42 games dating to last season, nevertheless were trying to make it two in a row over Prairie View. They beat the Panthers 69-67 to conclude last season.
