TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | The Florida A&M University men's basketball team returns to the court by visiting South Carolina State on Saturday and concluding the two-game Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) weekend on Monday at home against North Carolina Central.
 
The Rattlers tip-off against South Carolina State at 4 p.m. at the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center on Saturday, and will end the weekend with a 4 p.m. contest against North Carolina Central at the Al Lawson Center.
 
Florida A&M (4-11 overall, 2-2 MEAC) matched its longest win streak of the season after defeating Morgan State and Coppin State last week. The Rattlers held Coppin State to just 17.8 percent (5-of-28) from the floor in the first half and defeated the Eagles, 65-54, on Monday night. MJ Randolph had a career night, posting top marks in rebounds (15) and assists (six), while leading FAMU with 20 points. The Rattlers improved to 14-8 at home during the Robert McCullum era and will be seeking their first road conference win of the season.
 
South Carolina State (7-8, 2-1) is coming off a thrilling 101-95 overtime win on Monday night at Howard. The Bulldogs have won three out of their last four games, with the lone loss coming on Jan. 6 to Morgan State (77-63). Tashombe Riley led SCSU with a team-high 24 points and six rebounds, while Damani Applewhite finished with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds against Howard. South Carolina State is 4-1 this season at home, with that lone loss coming on Dec. 18 to USC Upstate, 73-70.
 
North Carolina Central (6-11, 2-1) will visit Bethune-Cookman on Saturday before making the trip to Tallahassee, Fla. on Monday. The Eagles have won three out of their last four games and will be seeking the series sweep over the Rattlers after defeating FAMU, 61-45, to open MEAC play on Jan. 4. NCCU is coming off a 69-64 overtime win over Maryland Eastern Shore on Monday as Jibri Blount poured in 19 points and grabbed eight boards. In the last matchup against FAMU, North Carolina Central and Florida A&M were tied at 45 with eight and a half minutes remaining, but the Eagles went on to score the final 16 points to pick up the win.
 
ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA STATE
> The Bulldogs are averaging 70.7 points per game, while its opponents are averaging 78.0 points
> SCSU is shooting 43.3 percent (365-of-843) from the field and 78.3 percent (242-of-309) from the foul line
> Damani Applewhite leads South Carolina State's offense at 13.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, followed by Tashombe Riley at 10.9 points and 4.2 boards per game
 
ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL
> The Eagles are averaging 66.6 points per game, while its opponents are averaging 66.7 points
> NCCU is shooting 44.5 percent (425-of-955) from the field and 66.8 percent (191-of-286) from the foul line
> Jibri Blount, the MEAC's Co-Player of the Week, leads North Carolina Central's offense at 19.3 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, followed by Randy Miller, Jr. at 14.3 points and 2.4 boards per game
 
LAST TIME OUT
> Florida A&M is coming off a 65-54 victory on Monday night against Coppin State
> MJ Randolph finished with a double-double of 20 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, along with a career-best six assists
> The Rattlers shot 46.3 percent (25-of-54) from the floor and 70.6 percent (12-of-17) from the foul line
 
NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
> Florida A&M defeated and stunned Iowa State, 70-68, on Dec. 31
> The win over Iowa State gave FAMU its first-ever win over a Power 5 opponent
> Florida A&M head coach Robert McCullum picked up his first signature win as Rattler head coach on Dec. 31
 
PROMOTIONS
> Florida A&M will have its Black Out Game/Coaches vs. Cancer/ MLK Day on Jan. 20 when North Carolina Central visits the Al Lawson Center
> For ticket or group rate information, call the FAMU ticket office at 850.599.3141 or email famuboxoffice@famu.edu
 
AL LAWSON CENTER CLEAR BAG POLICY
In the interest of enhancing existing security measures at basketball games inside the Al Lawson Center, FAMU athletics has implemented a security policy regulating the size and type of bag that may be carried into the arena for all home Rattler games this season.
 
Fans are encouraged not to bring any type of bags inside the Al Lawson Center; however, each ticket holder is allowed one small clutch purse and one large clear bag, either a one-gallon clear Ziploc®-style storage bag or a 12"x6"x12" clear tote bag.
 
UP NEXT
The Rattlers will travel to South Carolina State Saturday, before playing host and wrapping up its January home campaign on Monday against North Carolina Central. Florida A&M will visit Howard (Jan. 25) and Norfolk State (Jan. 27) to conclude the opening month of conference play.
 
#Follow The Rattlers
For complete coverage of Florida A&M athletics, please follow the Rattlers on social media at @FAMUAthletics (Twitter), /FAMUAth (Facebook), @famuathletics (Instagram) or visit the official home of Florida A&M Athletics at famuathletics.com.