BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- — Karl Nicholas scored 16 points and pulled down 12 rebounds as Texas Southern placed five in double-figure scoring to upset top-seeded Prairie View A&M 80-61 in the Southwest Athletic Conference championship game Saturday night.
The win punches Texas Southern's ticket for a ninth appearance in the NCAA Tournament, first since 2018.
Jordan Gilliam and Justin Hopkins each scored 15 points for the third-seeded Tigers (16-8), Michael Weathers added 13 and John Walker II 10. Texas Southern shot 51% (29 of 57), adding 19 of 27 at the free-throw line.
There were seven lead changes and six ties early but the Tigers broke things open late in the first half. Gillam snapped a 22-22 tie with a jumper at the 5:08 mark, kicking off a 14-6 closing run into halftime.