Baylor Bears cruise past Florida A&M

Photo: Ernest Maul, 6-0/180 senior Guard, Indianapolis, Indiana, Black Hawk CC

The Florida A&M University Rattlers men basketball team completed their Southwest holiday swing with another tough match up with the 10-1 Baylor Bears. This was the first meeting ever between the Rattlers and the Bears on the hardwood, who has a 5-0 record all-time against teams from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

The Rattlers are 3-8, 1-6 on the road, most recently dropping an 83-54 decision at AP ranked #12 Texas A&M University (12-1) on Saturday.

The Rattlers faced Baylor Coach Scott Drew (4th season, 46-70 record) who is an outstanding recruiter. The Rattlers faced players from his nationally ranked recruiting classes that were No. 17 in 2006, No. 11 in 2005 and No. 10 in 2004 at Baylor.

Prior to Baylor, Drew spent 10 seasons at Valparaiso, the last as head coach after nine seasons as an assistant to his father Homer. During his decade at Valpo, the Crusaders earned six NCAA Tournament berths, including five straight from 1996-2000. Drew is responsible for five national Top-20 recruiting classes over the last eight years.

This was a learning experience for the FAMU Rattlers both in the big-time game atmosphere and in the necessary patience required to build a mid-major basketball program. The key word for Rattlers fans this season is--PATIENCE. FAMU coach Eugene Harris is in his first season over the Rattlers program and has not had a recruiting class.

Here is the game's outcome:

WACO, Texas -- Henry Dugat scored 21 points for Baylor as the Bears defeated Florida A&M 84-61 Monday. Curtis Jerrells added 19 for Baylor (11-1).

Lamar Twitty scored 14 for Florida A&M (3-9), Larry Jackson had 11 and Ernest Maul scored 10. L.C. Robinson opened the second half for Florida A&M with three consecutive 3-point baskets and finished with nine points.

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The Rattlers showed improvement in this game with only 10 personal fouls and hit 10-22 three point shots (45.5%).

The Rattlers next game is scheduled for January 5, 2008, with Warner Southern in Tallahassee's Gaither Gym in a 4:00 p.m. contest.

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