The Florida A&M University women’s basketball team put together a captivating second-half rally against the Grambling State University Tiger but fell just short, losing 55-52. Despite climbing back from a double-digit deficit after halftime, the Rattlers failed to capitalize on their final possession, missing three potential game-tying shots to end the game.
Saturday’s game marked senior night for the Rattlers and their final home game of the season. The team came into the game with high energy, but early struggles threatened to spoil the celebration.
From the start of the game, Grambling State’s full-court press and stifling zone defense made life difficult for the Rattlers. Midway through the first quarter, FAMU struggled with the pressure, committing five early turnovers and trailing 17-11.
The Tiger’s dominance in the paint helped them to grow their lead in the first half. They were able to generate quality looks at the rim at a consistent rate and took frequent trips to the free-throw line. By halftime, they held a commanding 32-20 lead, fueled by scoring 16 points off of the Rattler’s turnovers and 20 points in the paint.
On the other end, the offensive woes continued for the Rattlers in the first, shooting just 33.3 percent from the field, 37 percent from the free-throw line, and committing 13 turnovers.
The second half opened up with Sydney Hendrix providing a much-needed spark for FAMU by finishing a touch layup through contact. The Rattlers began to close the gaps within their interior defense, cutting off the Tigers’ easy scoring opportunities in the paint. They also forced six turnovers in the third quarter, which helped to slowly chip away at the lead and come within eight points of tying the game.
Entering the fourth quarter, the Rattlers were poised to come back. A transition layup from Sabou Gueye and a contested bank shot by Sydney Hendrix sparked an 8-0 run to start the period and to cut the lead to just three points.
With less than five minutes to go, Cheyenne McEvans drilled a huge three to give the Rattlers their first lead of the game. However, Grambling State responded by committing to their game plan– attacking the rim and earning trips to the free-throw line.
With less than 30 seconds to go in the game, FAMU found themselves trailing by three points on one last opportunity to extend the game. Despite getting three chances to tie the game, including an open look from McEvans, the Rattlers could not convert, sealing their loss.
The Rattlers have now lost three of their last five games by one possession. Head Coach Bridgette Gordon spoke about what it is going to take for FAMU to get over the hump in these close games.
“As they say, a loss is not a loss if you can learn from it. They have to learn from what we are doing,” said Gordon. “When I have my young ladies in there and they’re crying, to me that means something. They understand that they are right there– they can battle with anybody.”
The Rattlers will travel to Daytona to take on their longtime rivals, the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats on Saturday, March 8. This will mark the final game of the regular season.
Rattlers Comeback Falls Short Against Grambling State
