Florida A&M vs Georgia Tech Stats

Atlanta, Ga.| The Florida A&M men's basketball team put up a valiant effort, but couldn't overcome a slow start, falling 74-64 to Georgia Tech (3-3, 0-1 ACC) at the McCamish Pavilion in Atlanta, Ga. 
 
FAMU (1-5, 0-0 MEAC) had three Rattlers scored in double-figures.
 
Florida A&M leading scorer, MJ Randolph, tossed in 17 points with six rebounds and three assists. Jalen Speer scored 12 points, on 5-of-7 shooting with one assist and one steal and Evins Desir poured in 10 points with four rebounds and one steal. 
 
For the game, FAMU shot 43.6 percent from the field (24-of-55) and 41.2 percent from three-point range. 
 
Georgia Tech was paced by Moses Wright, who scored a game-high 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting. 
 
Three other Yellow Jackets scored in double figures; Michael Devoe (15), Bubba Parham (13) and Jose Alvarado (11). 
 
Tech shot 47.4 percent from the field (27-of-57) and 40.9 percent from behind the arc (9-of-22).  
 
While the Rattlers trailed at halftime, Florida A&M outscored Georgia Tech 40-39 in the second half.
 
How It Happened
 
Florida A&M found itself in an early deficit as the Yellow Jackets raced to a quick 22-8 lead in the first half.
 
The Rattlers answered with a 12-3 run of its own, sparked by a spinning reverse lay-up by Jalen Speer, closing the Tech advantage to 25-20 with 3:40 left in the half.
 
The Yellow Jackets went into the break with a 32-24 lead. 
 
In the second half, the Rattlers matched Georgia Tech's energy.
 
Tech's Parham and Devoe opened the second period with back-to-back three-pointers, stretching the Jackets lead to 41-24, threatening to break the game wide-open.
 
Speer jump started another FAMU run (8-0) with a timely shot from deep. The Rattler cut the Tech lead to 41-32 with 16:06 left to play. 
 
Florida A&M pulled even closer as Speer scored on a fast-break lay-up to pull the Rattlers within five, 53-48, with 8:12 left to play.
 
Johnny Brown showed his ability to connect from long range, answering Georgia Tech buckets with two deep balls to keep the Rattlers within striking range with 5:11 left to play. Tech led 59-54.
 
The Yellow Jackets went on to maintain the lead the rest of the way, outscoring FAMU 15-10 over the final 4:53 on the contest.
 
Inside the Numbers
> FAMU shot 43.6 percent from the field (24-of-55) 
> Georgia Tech shot 47.4 percent from the field (27-of-57)
> FAMU shot 41.2 percent from three-point range (7-of-17)
> Georgia Tech shot 40.9 percent from three-point range (9-of-22)
> FAMU went 9-of-13 on free throw attempts (69.2percent)
> Georgia Tech went 11-of-16 on free throw attempts (68.8 percent)
> Georgia Tech out-rebounded FAMU 38-28.
> FAMU committed a season-low nine turnovers.
> FAMU scored 13 points off turnovers compared to Georgia Tech's 6.
> Georgia Tech outscored FAMU 34-16 on points in the paint
> FAMU's bench outscored Georgia Tech's bench 22-5
 
Up Next
Florida A&M travels to Columbia, S.C. to take on the University of South Carolina on Jan. 2. Tip-off is set for 3:30 on the SEC Network.