The FAMU Women’s Basketball team are winners of two in a row after a thrilling win against the Southern University Jaguars, 60-57. The Rattlers were led in scoring by Tahnyjia Purifoy with a season high 21 points, shooting over 50% and scoring eight points in the 4th quarter alone. The rattlers have now won three of their last four games.
The Rattlers kept this game close, with their biggest deficit being eight late in the 3rd quarter. FAMU outscored the Jaguars 23-12 for the rest of the game. The Rattlers were able to regain their first lead since late in the 2nd quarter after guard Brooklyn Swann got a layup plus a foul to make the score 53-52.
The Rattler defense was able to hold the Jaguars to 34% shooting and forced 19 turnovers, with five of them coming in the 4th quarter. They also forced the Jaguars to shoot 25% from three. The biggest difference in the game was the free throw line. The Jaguars finished 9 of 19 while the Rattlers finished 18 of 22. Purifoy also shot perfect from the free throw line, going 8 for 8.
Rattlers women’s head Coach Bridgette Gordon says the Bethune-Cookman University loss ‘Made them become women overnight.’ Gordon also mentioned that this year is important to win the SWAC.
“No team has their name under the SWAC yet and they want to be the first,” Gordon said.
The Rattlers improve to 3-11 on the season and 2-1 in conference play while the Jaguars fall to 7-8 and 3-1 in conference play. The Rattlers will travel to play the Mississippi Valley State Devilettes on Thursday Jan. 15 at 6:00 p.m. EST at the R.W. Harrison HPER Complex.
FAMU Women’s basketball team rolls past top seeded Jaguars
