MEAC Tournament: FAMU Lady Rattlers Roll DSU Hornets 86-58 In MEAC Opener

NORFOLK, Virginia  -- The FAMU Lady Rattlers rode the hot shooting of guards Jasmine Grice, Kimberly Sparkman and Taneka Rubin to an 86-58 victory over Delaware State, in the opening game of the 2014 MEAC Basketball Championship.

Grice, who was named the 2014 MEAC women’s basketball player of the year earlier in the day, scored 32 points to lead all scorers in the game.  Grice shot 50 percent on the day going 8-of-16 from the field, including 2-of-4 from three-point range and 14-of-17 from the free throw line.

Sparkman, who had struggled down the stretch this season, shot 7-of-13 from the field, including 5-of-5 from three-point range.  Rubin, shot 50 percent, scoring 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the field.

FAMU head coach LeDawn Gibson, said she had to challenge Sparkman, who struggled in the first half.  “I pulled Sparkman to the side and gave her some choice words.  As a senior, I need her leadership throughout this tournament, and I let her know that I wasn’t happy with her going scoreless in the first half.  It worked.  She came out and gave me what we needed in the second half,” Gibson said.

The Lady Rattlers used a press and a staunch defense to defeat the Hornets, scoring 38 points off turnovers.  There were four lead changes and two ties in the game.  Tiera Prothro grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.

Raven Bankston scored 28 points for DSU, on 11-of-26 shooting from the field.  Deanna Harmon would be the only other Hornet to score in double figures.

FAMU’s offense was sluggish in the first half, as they held on to just a six point lead at 34-28.  The second half would see the effort Gibson longed for.  They scored 52 points in the second half to take a commanding lead and ultimately make it to the second round.

The Lady Rattlers shot 36.1 percent from the field in the first half, but rebounded to shoot a scorching 62.5 percent in the second half.  They also shot 77.4 percent from the free throw line.  Nine different FAMU players scored in the game.

The Lady Rattlers got valuable minutes from senior Andreya Lacy.  Lacy came in the game and solidified the Rattler offense from the point guard position.  “We needed the effort we got from Lacy.  She has senior leadership and we asked her today to slow down the game and lead the way.  She did just that and it gave us a much-needed boost,” Gibson said.

The Lady Rattlers will face the Savannah State Lady Tigers on Thurs., Mar. 13, at 2:30 p.m. at the Scope Arena.

COURTESY FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION