The Florida A&M University Women’s basketball team strikes again as they beat the Mississippi Valley State University Devilettes 88-74. The Rattlers are winners of three in a row and are currently second in the SWAC.
The Rattlers were down by as much as 14 points late in the second quarter after forward Ja’la Douglas made a tip-in lay-up to make the score 35-21. The Rattlers relied on their free throws and defense to cut the lead to five at halftime. The Rattlers took their first lead following a Camille Jackson mid-range jumper, making the lead 51-49 late in the third quarter.
The biggest difference in the game for the Rattlers was their second half scoring and defense. The Rattlers outscored the Devilettes 54-39 in the second half. Defensively FAMU forced 20 turnovers, with ten of them coming in the second half.
The Rattler offense forced the Devilettes to foul 29 times, allowing the Rattlers to make 28 of their 32 free throws. The Rattlers were led in scoring by guard Tahnyjia Purifoy and Shaniyah McCarthy who combined for 20 free throws. Both Purifoy (22 points, eight assists) and McCarthy (23 points, eight rebounds) had a season highs.
The Rattlers improve to 4-11 on the season and 3-1 in conference play, while the Devilettes fall to 3-13 on the season and 2-3 in conference play. The Rattlers will travel to play Arkansas-Pine Bluff University Golden Lions Saturday Jan. 17 at 4:00 p.m. EST at the H.O. Clemmons Arena.
