FAMU Rattlers Cage SCSU Bulldogs For 78-72 MEAC Win

COURTESY FAMU ATHLETICS

TALLAHASSEE, Florida  -- The Florida A&M Men’s Basketball team won their third straight with a 78-72 win over South Carolina State, in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference contest, here Saturday night at the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Center.

The win marks the Rattlers' third straight win at S-H-M arena as head coach Clemon Johnson goes to a perfect 5-0 against SCSU.

FAMU (7-11, 3-2 MEAC) had four Rattlers to score in double-figures with Jamie Adams scoring a game high 27 points to lead all scorers.  Trey Kellum recorded his second double-double on the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while both Jomari Bradshaw and Reggie Lewis chipped in 12 points each on the night for the Rattlers.  In addition, Adams led the Rattlers in assists with a team high six.

SCSU (5-12, 1-3 MEAC) had three Bulldogs to score in double-figures with Matthew Hezekiah scoring a team high 26 points. Adama Adams added 18, while Jalen White finished with 10 to round out the cast of double-digit performers for the Bulldogs.

A pair of made free throws by Hezekiah with 15:57 to go in the first, giving the Bulldogs, an 11-3 lead.

The Rattlers took a 19-18 lead on an Adams three pointer with 8:45 to go in the first, capped off by a 16-7 run by FAMU.

White would tie the contest at 30-30 for SCSU with 2:06 to go in the first.

Adams would then convert on a three-point play to give the Rattlers a 36-30 lead with 1:01 to go, capping a 6-0 run by FAMU.  The Rattlers went into the break with a 36-31 lead over the Bulldogs as FAMU finished the first half shooting 37.5 percent (12-of-32), while SCSU shot 38.7 percent (12-of-31).

FAMU would extend their lead to 46-37 in the opening minutes of the second half on a Lewis three pointer with 17:25 to go in the game.

SCSU would cut FAMU’s lead to 54-50 with a 10-0 run, capped off by a Daryll Palmer dunk with 12:53 to go in the game.

The Rattlers would extend their lead to 68-57 on a Jomari Bradshaw put back with 6:48 to go in the game, capped off by a 14-7 run.

Adama Adams would cut the Rattlers’ lead to 75-72 with a made three pointer with 42 second left in the game.

That would be the Bulldogs' final field goal of the game as FAMU held on for the 78-72 win. 

FAMU vs SCSU Box Score

FAMU will return to action on Monday, Jan. 20 as they will travel to Savannah, Ga., to take on Savannah State in a 7:30 p.m. tipoff at Tiger Arena.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION