PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas -- A late comeback attempt by the Bulldogs came up just short Saturday in a 70-65 loss at Prairie View.

It was the second rally by the Bulldogs in the second half after they trailed by 10 points at 33-23 in the opening seconds of the half.


Over the next 10 minutes, A&M outscored the Panthers 24-12 to take a 46-45 lead on an Evan Wiley layup with 11:13 to play. It was the first Bulldog lead since the 18:09 mark of the first half when they led 3-2.


Prairie View answered A&M's basket for a 47-46 lead at 10:58 but De'Ederick Petty hit a three-pointer on the Bulldogs' next possession to put A&M on top 49-47.


But that was the final time the Bulldogs would take the lead.


Prairie View slowly pulled away and held a 10-point lead at 67-57 with 3:04 to go.


The Bulldogs then began to chip away, cutting the lead to 68-62 with 12 seconds left when Petty was fouled by Ja'Donta Blakley while going in for a layup.


Blakley was assessed a technical and a personal foul, sending the Bulldogs to the line for four free-throws.


Marcus Merriweather made one of two technical free-throws and Petty sank both of his free-throws to bring the Bulldogs within three points at 68-65.


However, that was as close as A&M would get.


The Bulldogs were forced to foul on the throw-in and Blakley hit two free throws for the Panthers to provide the final score.


De'Ederick Petty scored 22 points - including five three-pointers - to lead the Bulldogs. It was his second straight 20-plus point game.


Evan Wiley scored 14 points and Quinterian McConico added 13 points for the Bulldogs. Rakiya Battle had nine assists while McConico and Petty each had five rebounds.


The Bulldogs had chances at the free-throw line to cut into Prairie View's lead throughout the game but came up short, making just 12 of 21.


Cold-shooting in the first half also hurt the Bulldogs' cause as they made just eight of 29 shots (27.6 percent) forcing them to battle from behind throughout most of the game.


The Bulldogs travel to Texas Southern to face the Tigers on Monday. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m.