FAMU Rattlers Win In 54-51 Comeback Over Savannah State

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The Florida A&M Men’s Basketball team picked up their eighth win of the season with a 54-51 win over Savannah State, here Monday night at the Al Lawson Center in  a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference contest.

 

With the win, FAMU snaps SSU’s five-game win streak against the Rattlers and FAMU Head Coach Clemon Johnson notches his first-ever win against the Tigers of Savannah State.

 

SSU jumped out to a 13-7 lead on a Terel Hall layup with 11:03 to go in the game.

 

Reggie Lewis would give the Rattlers their first lead of the game with a made three-pointer with 1:08 left in the first, capping an 18-10 run by FAMU.

 

A Devein William jumper with 41 seconds left in the half tied the contest at 25-25.

 

FAMU would finish the first half shooting 32.1 percent (9-of-28), while SSU shot 31.0 percent (9-of-29).

 

SSU opened the second half with a 6-0 run, capped off by a Harel jumper with 16:19 left in the contest. 

 

FAMU would tie the contest at 43-43 on a Lewis jumper with 6:31 to go in the game, capping a 7-4 run by the Rattlers.   The Rattlers would then extend their lead to 47-43 with 2:13 left in the game capped off by a Jamie Adams free throw.

 

Jyles Smith would cut the Rattlers’ lead to 52-51 with a dunk with :26 left in the game. 

 

Both Willie Conner and D’Andre Bullard would hit one free throw each for the 54-51 win.

 

FAMU finished the contest shooting 29.2 percent (19-of-65), while SSU shot 30.4 percent (14-of-46).   The Rattlers held the rebounding margin over the Tigers, 54-39.

 

The Rattlers were led by Adams with a game high 17 points to lead all scorers.  Lewis added 15, while Jamari Bradshaw finished with 11.   Bobby King led the Rattlers on the boards with eight. 

 

SSU was paced by Smith with 10 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocked shots on the night, while Hall pumped in 11 on the night.

 

With the win, FAMU increases their record to 8-14 and 4-5 in MEAC play, whereas SSU lowers their record to 8-15 and 6-3 in MEAC action.

 

FAMU will return to action as they will travel to North Carolina to take on North Carolina A&T on Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Corbett Center in a 6 p.m. start in Greensboro, N.C.

 

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION