Florida A&M

Rattlers open season at home versus Howard

11/3/2024 5:06:00 PM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –– The second season of the Coach Gordon era is underway as they host Howard University for their season opener.

The Rattlers enter the season with much higher expectations following making the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Tournament as a 7-seed in 2024, making the tournament for the first time in their three seasons in the SWAC.

The Rattlers have some big shoes to fill with the loss of the 2024 SWAC Player of the Year, Ahriahna Grizzle. Still, they are fortunate to return their second-leading scorer and Preseason All-SWAC Second Teamer Olivia Delancy. Delancy finished the 2024 season, averaging 12.1 points per game, and scored a season-high 29 points versus Bethune-Cookman. Delancy also had 10+ points in 17 games. The Rattlers have eight more returners, with six of the returners having played in at least 15 games.

The Rattlers also added eight new players to the roster, with the biggest name to watch being Sabou Gueye, the transfer guard from New Mexico State. Other newcomers to watch are Tahnyjia Purifoy, Monique Judge, Zikeyah Carter, D'Mya Griffin, Eve Alexander, Cheyenne McEvans, and Saige Glover.

Howard enters the game after having a strong season last year, finishing second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) with a 10-4 record and making it to the MEAC Championship game. Like the Rattlers, the Bison lost their leading scorer but returned their second-leading scorer in guard Tyana Walker. Walker averaged 11.3 points per game and scored 10+ points 19 times.

The game will tipoff on Monday, November 4, at 6:30 p.m. Eastern on Rattlers+. Tomorrow's game will also be free entry for the opener.

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