Orangeburg, S.C.| Freshman guard Jalen Speer scored a game-high 20 points as Florida A&M dropped a heartbreaker to South Carolina State, 63-57 on Saturday afternoon at the SHM Memorial Center.
 
Speer went 8-of-14 from the field including 2-of-5 from three-point range. He also snagged five rebounds, dished out two assists and blocked one shot.
 
Senior forward DJ Jones also had an efficient day scoring, contributing 15 points with seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks. 
 
Senior guard, Kamron Reaves scored in double-figures as well, tossing in 10 points with one assist, one steal and one rebound. 
 
FAMU, who trailed for much of the afternoon, tied the game at 47 with 7:10 left in the second half, on a Bryce Moragne layup. The Rattlers looked to gain control of the contest, but could never hop back in front.
 
The Rattlers were plagued by 22 turnovers, which tied a season-high set in FAMU's 70-63 loss to North Carolina A&T on Feb. 21. 
 
South Carolina State was led offensively by Floyd Rideau Jr. who scored 15 points for the Bulldogs.
 
The Rattlers were held to 37.7 percent shooting (20-of-53) while SCSU connected on 46.9 percent of its attempts (23-of-49). 
 
Up Next
 
FAMU faces South Carolina State one more time in the season series finale in Orangeburg, S.C. on Sunday afternoon. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.