TALLAHASSEE, Fla. | The Florida A&M University men's basketball team spent the past 13 games on the road and the Rattlers will finally have their home opener on Saturday in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) game as Morgan State visits the Al Lawson Center for Church and Community Appreciation Day.
 
Florida A&M tips-off against Morgan State at 4 p.m. and the Rattlers will conclude its short two-game homestand on Monday night against Coppin State. Tip-off for Faculty Appreciation Night is set for 8 p.m.
 
Florida A&M (2-11 overall, 0-2 MEAC) is coming off back-to-back road MEAC losses to North Carolina Central and North Carolina A&T State. The Rattlers rallied from 20-points down in the second half to grab a five-point lead late against NCAT on Monday night, but needed an MJ Randolph layup at the buzzer to force overtime. Rod Melton, Jr., the MEAC's Co-Player of the Week, averaged 21.0 points in the two conference losses and posted a season-high 24 points against the Aggies.
 
Morgan State (8-9, 2-0) is riding a two-game winning streak into Saturday's matchup and the Bears have won four out of their last five games. Morgan State picked up a 77-63 victory on Monday night against South Carolina State. Against the Bulldogs, the Bears led by five at the break, before pulling away for the double-digit win. Troy Baxter led four MSU players in double figures with 16 points, while Stanley Davis added 14 points, six rebounds and five assists.
 
Coppin State (4-13, 0-2) will visit Bethune-Cookman on Saturday before making the trip to Tallahassee, Fla. on Monday. The Eagles have dropped their last seven games, with the last victory coming over a month ago to East Carolina (Dec. 3). Coppin State trailed, 39-29, at the half this past Monday to Norfolk State and was outscored, 43-30, in the second half as the Spartans picked up an 82-59 victory. Andrew Robinson led three CSU players in double figures with 18 points, including five 3-pointers.
 
ABOUT MORGAN STATE
> The Bears are averaging 72.5 points per game, while its opponents are averaging 73.8 points
> MSU is shooting 43.8 percent (438-of-1001) from the field and 71.5 percent (268-of-375) from the foul line.
> Stanley Davis leads Morgan State's offense at 13.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, followed by Sherwyn Devonish at 11.1 points and 3.4 boards per game
 
ABOUT COPPIN STATE
> The Eagles are averaging 67.3 points per game, while its opponents are averaging 77.6 points
> CSU is shooting 38.6 percent (405-of-1050) from the field and 63.9 percent (200-of-313) from the foul line
> Kamar McKnight leads Coppin State's offense at 14.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, followed by Andrew Robinson at 12.7points and 5.1 boards per game
 
LAST TIME OUT
> Florida A&M is coming off a 97-90 overtime loss to North Carolina A&T State on Monday
> Rod Melton, Jr. led five FAMU players in double figures with 24 points, including five 3-pointers
> The Rattlers shot 42.3 percent (33-of-78) from the floor and 62.5 percent (15-of-24) 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
> Rod Melton, Jr. was named the MEAC Co-Player of the Week on Tuesday
 
PROMOTIONS
> Florida A&M will hold Church and Community Appreciation Day on Saturday and Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night on Monday
> For ticket or group rate information, call the FAMU ticket office at 850.599.3141 or email famuboxoffice@famu.edu
 
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
After back-to-back contests against Morgan State and Coppin State, Florida A&M will visit South Carolina State on Saturday, Jan. 18
 
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