TALLAHASSEE, FL -- Five Rattlers scored in double digits and Florida A&M defeated the North Florida Ospreys 85-57 at home Saturday.
The Rattlers (1-8) had five players score in double figures, led by Cheyenne McEvans, who had 17 points and six steals. Sabou Gueye added 15 points, four assists and four steals and Sydney Hendrix helped out with 14 points and two steals.
Led by McEvans' three offensive rebounds, Florida A&M did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 12 boards that resulted in 18 second chance points.
Florida A&M forced 36 North Florida turnovers while committing 17 themselves in Saturday's game. The Rattlers turned those takeaways into 45 points on the other end of the floor. McEvans' six steals led the way for Florida A&M.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 5-4 advantage, Florida A&M went on a 12-0 run with 6:51 left in the first quarter, culminating in a bucket from D'Mya Griffin, to increase its lead to 17-4. The Rattlers then added four points to that lead by the end of the period and entered the quarter break with a 25-8 advantage. Florida A&M did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 18 of its 25 points close to the basket.
Florida A&M built that first quarter lead to 35-11 before going on a 9-0 run starting at the 6:29 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from McEvans, to increase its lead to 44-11. The Ospreys cut into that lead, but the Rattlers still enjoyed a 44-20 advantage heading into halftime. Florida A&M dominated in the paint, scoring 12 of its 19 points close to the basket.
Florida A&M continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 9-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Saige Glover, to expand its lead further to 65-38 with 1:32 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Ospreys had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Rattlers still entered the fourth quarter with a 67-43 edge. Florida A&M played well near the basket, scoring 18 of its 23 points in the paint.
Florida A&M started tacking on points in the fourth almost immediately, going on an 11-0 run, finished off by Eve Alexander's layup, to grow the lead to 78-43 with 6:32 to go in the contest. The Ospreys narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Rattlers still cruised the rest of the way for the 85-57 win. Florida A&M took advantage of its opportunities in the post, scoring 12 of its 18 points in the paint.
Game Notes
» The Rattlers never trailed after taking a 25-8 first quarter lead.
» The Florida A&M bench came alive by adding 27 points to its scoring output.
» Five Florida A&M players scored 10 or more points.
» Eve Alexander and Saige Glover came off the bench to score 12 and 10 points.
» The Rattlers turned 36 turnovers into 45 points on the offensive end.
» The Rattlers forced 36 North Florida turnovers while committing only 17 on the other end.
» The Rattlers got six steals each from Cheyenne McEvans and D'Mya Griffin.
» Florida A&M had a 28-24 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Florida A&M defense forced 36 turnovers.
» Florida A&M cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 12 offensive boards in the game.
» Cheyenne McEvans led the Rattlers with 17 points.
» Florida A&M got a team-high six rebounds from Eve Alexander.
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