FAMU Athletics/Ashley Bryant
TALLAHASSEE, FL –– Despite a strong effort and leading early, Florida A&M fell to Bethune-Cookman 62-55 in their SWAC opener at the Al Lawson Center. The Rattlers (3-9, 0-1 SWAC) started hot, building a 10-point lead at 12-2 in the first half behind strong play from Milton Matthews, who finished with a team-high 20 points, including 4-11 from three-point range.
However, the Wildcats (4-10, 1-0 SWAC) steadily fought back, taking their first lead late in the first half. The game remained tight throughout, featuring 11 lead changes and seven ties.
With 5:57 remaining in the game, Matthews hit a clutch three-pointer to give FAMU a 50-49 lead.
Bethune-Cookman responded with a decisive 13-5 run to close the game. Ward Jr. started the run with a layup to reclaim the lead at 51-50, followed by a crucial three-pointer from Willoughby that pushed BCU’s advantage to 54-52 with under 3 minutes left.
Matthews kept FAMU in it with another massive three-pointer at 2:21 to make it 55-54, but that would be the Rattlers’ final points of the night.
Over the final two minutes:
-1:57: Ward Jr. hit two critical free throws to extend BCU’s lead to 56-55
– 1:23: After a FAMU turnover by Coffee III, Rouzan converted a fast break dunk to make it 58-55
– 1:06: Freeman scored on a layup off a Willoughby assist to push the lead to 60-55
– The final minute saw FAMU unable to convert, with Coffee III having a layup blocked by Carralero Martin and Young’s final three-point attempt also getting blocked
The Wildcats sealed it at the free throw line, with Freeman hitting two free throws in the final seconds for the 62-55 final margin. FAMU was held scoreless over the final 2:21, going 0-for-3 from the field with two turnovers.
The Wildcats used a balanced attack, with four players scoring in double figures, led by Brayon Freeman and Seneca Willoughby, each with 14 points. BCU’s bench outscored FAMU’s 25-12, which was a key factor.
Beyond Matthews’ 20-point performance, Shaqir O’Neal added seven points, and Jamine Charles contributed six points and five rebounds for the Rattlers. FAMU struggled from three-point range, shooting just 24.1% (7-29) compared to BCU’s 44.4% (8-18).
The Rattlers will travel to play Grambling State and Southern on the road before returning home on Saturday, January 18, to host Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
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