SWAC Rivals Clash as Grambling Hosts Prairie View

GRAMBLING, La. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum to open the new year will meet Saturday when the Grambling State Tigers host the Prairie View A&M Panthers in a Southwestern Athletic Conference men’s basketball matchup.

The game at Fredrick Hobdy Assembly Center tips off at approximately 7:30 p.m. CST.

Both teams enter league play with sub-.500 overall records. Grambling (6-7) has won three of its last four, including a 90-58 rout of Centenary on Dec. 30. Prairie View (5-8) has dropped two straight, most recently an 82-111 loss at Texas A&M on Dec. 29.

A key matchup will feature standout guards from each side. Prairie View’s Cory Wells is coming off a career-high 25-point performance against Texas A&M, adding four assists in 38 minutes. The junior has shown versatile scoring and playmaking ability throughout non-conference play.

Grambling will counter with Devyn Franklin, who posted a double-double (11 points, 11 rebounds) in the win over Centenary. His consistency on the boards and defensive presence will be crucial for the Tigers.

The Panthers have relied on high-scoring outputs from Wells and guard Tai’Reon Joseph, who scored 26 against Texas A&M. However, Prairie View’s defense has struggled, allowing an average of 94.6 points in its last three losses.

Grambling has found a more balanced attack recently, with Jimel Lane (18 points vs. Centenary) and Mekhi Fitts providing supplemental scoring behind Franklin. The Tigers have held three of their last four opponents under 72 points.

Historically, games between these SWAC rivals are tightly contested. Saturday’s contest offers both squads an opportunity to establish an early conference foothold before a quick turnaround. Prairie View visits Southern on Monday, Jan. 5, while Grambling hosts Texas Southern the same evening.

The Tigers hold a narrow edge playing at home, where they are 3-2 this season. The Panthers are 1-6 in true road games.