Prairie View A&M defeats Lehigh 67-55 in First Four

Panthers earn first March Madness win in program history

Mar. 19, 2026 at 1:06am

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Dontae Horne scored 25 points and Cory Wells added 19 as Prairie View A&M defeated Lehigh 67-55 in the NCAA Tournament First Four. The victory marks the first March Madness win in Prairie View A&M's history, as the Panthers advance as the No. 16 seed in the South Region to face top seed and defending national champion Florida on Friday.

Why it matters

Prairie View A&M's win is a significant milestone for the historically Black university's basketball program, which has struggled to find success on the national stage. The Panthers' victory over Lehigh showcases the team's talent and potential, and sets up an intriguing matchup against the powerhouse Florida Gators in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The details

In the First Four game played in Dayton, Ohio, Prairie View A&M was led by Dontae Horne's 25 points and Cory Wells' 19 points. Lance Williams also contributed 10 points for the Panthers, who improved their overall record to 19-17 on the season. The victory marks Prairie View A&M's third NCAA Tournament appearance.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, March 19, 2026.
  • Prairie View A&M will face Florida on Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The players

Dontae Horne

The leading scorer for Prairie View A&M, pouring in 25 points in the First Four victory.

Cory Wells

Scored 19 points to help Prairie View A&M earn its first NCAA Tournament win in program history.

Lance Williams

Contributed 10 points for the Panthers in their First Four triumph.

Prairie View A&M

The historically Black university's basketball program, which is making its third NCAA Tournament appearance.

Florida Gators

The top seed and defending national champion that Prairie View A&M will face in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“This is a huge win for our program and our university. We've been working hard to get to this point, and I'm proud of the way our team stepped up tonight.”

— Dontae Horne, Prairie View A&M Player

What’s next

Prairie View A&M will face the top-seeded Florida Gators in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday.

The takeaway

Prairie View A&M's historic first-ever NCAA Tournament victory showcases the team's talent and potential, and sets up an intriguing matchup against the powerhouse Florida Gators in the opening round. The win is a significant milestone for the university's basketball program and a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players and coaches.