AUSTIN – Huston-Tillotson University's men's basketball team was denied its first victory of 2026 Thursday as they fell to Philander Smith (Ark.) by a score of 81-62.
At HT's Branch Gymnasium, the visiting Panthers (12-2) scored 55 points after halftime to improve to 5-0 in league play and maintain the top spot in the HBCU Athletic Conference's West Division.Â
The Rams (5-8, 0-5 HBCUAC) were led by Caleb Campbell and Kemondreon Cansler, who scored 11 points apiece. Campbell pulled in eight rebounds, while Cansler blocked six shots in the game.
Isaiah Halliburton scored eight points and grabbed five steals for the Rams, while Shannon Robinson chipped in seven points for HT.
Philander Smith's Raymond Reece scored a game-high 31 points and pulled in 16 rebounds to lead the Panthers, while his teammate Elijah Anderson added 27 points for the visitors.
The Rams kept pace with the West-leading Panthers for the entirety of the first half, taking a 30-26 lead into halftime. HT led by as many as seven points three times early in the second half.
The visitors took control of the game with 16 unanswered points between the 16:51 and 13:01 marks in the second half that turned Philander Smith's 40-33 deficit into a 49-40 advantage. From there, the Panthers were in control of the game, with both Reece and Anderson scoring at least 20 points in the second half.
NEXT UP:
The Rams return to action Saturday, Jan. 10, when they host Wiley in a women's-and-men's doubleheader. The men's game is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start, and will tip off approximately 15 to 20 minutes after the conclusion of the women's game between the two schools.
– HT –
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