Basketball Recap: Lake Smith's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Boulder over Prairie View

Boulder suffered their closest defeat since January 3rd on Tuesday. They fell just short of the Prairie View Thunderhawks by a score of 62-59. Sadly, that's the second time they've come up short against the Panthers this season, as they also lost their prior matchup 72-67 back in December of 2024.

Lake Smith

Points

01/28/25 vs Prairie View	23
01/23/25 @ Westminster	18
01/21/25 vs Riverdale Ridge	25

Several Panthers players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was Lake Smith, who posted 23 points and four steals. Smith's evening made it three games in a row in which he has scored at least ten points. Kamil Boniakowski also deserves some recognition as he posted his first block of the season.

Even though they lost, Boulder smashed the offensive glass and finished the game with 15 offensive rebounds. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now pulled down at least nine offensive boards in five consecutive matches.

Multiple players turned in solid performances to lead Prairie View to victory, but perhaps none more so than Javon Brewton, who scored 22 points and five assists. Another player making a difference was Chidiebere Akotaobi, who dropped a double-double on 16 points and ten rebounds.

Boulder's loss was their first in the league, dropping their league record down to 5-1 and their overall record down to 8-8. As for Prairie View, they are on a roll lately: they've won three of their last four contests, which provided a massive bump to their 9-8 record this season.

Both squads are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Boulder will welcome Brighton at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday. Brighton will roll in looking for their fifth straight win, something Boulder surely won't give up without a fight. As for Prairie View, they will be playing in front of their home fans against Westminster at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Prairie View is facing Westminster at the right time seeing as Westminster is stuck on a three-game losing streak.