TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Florida A&M Men’s Basketball team won their fifth straight at home, remaining undefeated on their home court, with a 76-66 win over North Carolina A&T, here Monday at the Al Lawson Center.
FAMU (6-11, 2-2 MEAC) had three Rattlers finish the contest with 16 points each in Jamie Adams, Reggie Lewis, and Jomari Bradshaw. Trey Kellum pumped in 14 points and pulled down seven rebounds.
Coach Clemon Johnson felt it was a total team effort and focus that has resulted in the wins. “First of all, I’m very happy that we won the game. Secondly, I’m happy we didn’t have to go down to the wire with it, although I coached as if we did. I’m happy for the young men I have playing under me and I’m just grateful that they’re listening and we’re winning. They understand that their hard work is paying off and we’ll do even better next time,” Johnson said.
N.C. A&T ( 4-12, 1-1 MEAC) was paced by Lamont Middleton with 20 points, Richaud Pack added 15, whereas Bruce Beckford finished the contest with a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
In a back and forth first half, where the biggest lead enjoyed by either team was five points, Kellum gave the Rattlers the 19-14 lead with a putback with 6:42 to go in the first.
The Aggies would take the lead at 23-21 lead on a Middleton three pointer with 3:31 to go in the half as A&T would go into the break with a slim 29-27 lead.
FAMU finished the first half shooting 29.4 percent (10-of-34), while A&T shot 34.6 percent (9-of-26).
Bradshaw, felt the Rattlers just needed to remain methodical in order to withstand the Aggies. “It’s a matter of getting the job done, attacking the rim. We were able to step up. We want to work to keep our streak going,” he said. Lewis, was focused on steadying the ship when Adams got in early foul trouble. “I’m just staying confident in myself. When Jamie was out I knew I needed to keep managing the game until he came back. When he came back, he was managing the game and we were able to get open shots,” Lewis said.
In the second half, a pair of Middleton free throws would tie the contest at 50-50 with 11:29 left in the game.
FAMU would then use a 16-6 run to take a 66-56 lead, capped off by a pair of Adams free throws with 7:34. The Rattlers finished the contest shooting 41.3 percent (26-of-63), while the Aggies shot 31.5 percent (17-of-54).
FAMU will return to action on Saturday, Jan. 18 as they will travel to Orangeburg, S.C., to take on South Carolina State in another Mid-Eastern Athletic Contest in a 7:30 p.m.
COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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