Florida A&M Rallies To Get Past Delaware State

Photo courtesy of: MEAC Media Relations

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- Jamie Adams nailed a big three pointer, Christopher Rozier came off the bench to hit some crucial free throws and the defense did the rest as Florida A&M University pulled out a 65-61 win over Delaware State in the opening round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament at the Norfolk Scope. 

The Rattlers (14-17), the Number 6 seed, advance to the quarterfinal round where they will face Morgan State, the Number 3 seed on Thursday at 6 pm.   

It was the Hornets (9-21), the Number 11 seed, who took control early and maintained a 36-31 lead at the half.  Delaware State senior guard Casey Walker provided most of the offense with 14 points on five of seven shooting from the field, including four of five from beyond the arc.  It is also important to note that the Hornets held an advantage on bench points, outscoring the Rattler, 14-4 in that category.

Delaware State continued to keep the Rattlers at bay in the second half as Tyshawn Bell, Albert Thomas and Kendall Gray began to take turns scoring.  Yet each time, they tried to pull away, Florida A&M would fight and scrap its way back into the game.

After the Hornets took a 60-54 lead at the 3:09 mark, Florida A&M manufactured points.  First Jomari Bradshaw hit a three pointer to get within three at 60-57 with 2:47 remaining.  Bradshaw made it 60-58 on one of two free throws.  Charles Burley of Delaware State made one of two to make it 61-58 at the 2:26 mark.

Neither team could score over the next minute until Adams hit the game changer.  Following a Florida A&M timeout, Adams hit a three pointer from straight on to tie the game at 61.  Delaware State never scored again.  Adams made one of two free throws and Christopher Rozier converted three of four to close out the scoring and give the Rattlers the win.

“I give credit to Reggie (Lewis) on that shot,” said Adams, who had missed seven of eight from beyond the arc before the shot.  “I was struggling before that, but he wanted me to stay focused and that my chance would come.  When he said that to me, I knew I would hit the shot.”

Added Delaware State interim head coach Keith Walker, “I thought the effort was good.   “We had a few too many unforced turnovers and that maybe decided the game.  I think we made mistakes that hurt an effort when you’re trying to win.”

Walker finished with 14, only two in the second half while Kendall contributed 13 and DeAndre Haywood added 10 in a losing cause.

Lewis of Florida A&M led all scorers with 18, Adams totaled 15 and Bradshaw tallied 12.

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