TALLAHASSEE, Fla. --The Florida A&M women's basketball team out-rebounded the Southeastern (FL) Fire 48-34 on the way to a 71-65 win at home Monday.
The Rattlers (1-10) had four players score in double figures, led by Tahnyjia Purifoy, who had 15 points and four steals. Camille Jackson added 14 points and nine rebounds and Shaniyah McCarthy chipped in as well with 13 points and nine rebounds.
Led by Jackson's five offensive rebounds, Florida A&M did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 19 boards that resulted in 17 second chance points.
Florida A&M's defense held Southeastern (FL) to only 39 percent shooting from the field, including 30 percent from beyond the arc. The Fire did not have much luck cleaning up their misses on the offensive glass either, as they finished with eight offensive rebounds and managed seven second chance points while Florida A&M cleared 29 defensive rebounds.
How It Happened
Florida A&M started out the scoring by going on a 7-0 run to take an early lead with 8:06 left in the first quarter. The Rattlers then added six points to that lead by the end of the period and entered the quarter break with a 27-14 advantage. Florida A&M did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 16 of its 27 points close to the basket.
Florida A&M kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 9-0 run starting at the 8:08 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Cornelia Ellington, to increase its lead to 36-18. The Fire cut into that lead, but the Rattlers still enjoyed a 42-29 advantage heading into halftime. Florida A&M dominated in the paint, scoring 10 of its 15 points close to the basket.
Florida A&M continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Ellington, to expand its lead further to 52-39 with 4:06 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Fire had cut into that lead somewhat, but the Rattlers still entered the fourth quarter with a 58-52 edge. Florida A&M played well near the basket, scoring 14 of its 16 points in the paint.
The Rattlers then held on for the victory in the fourth quarter. Florida A&M took advantage of four Southeastern (FL) turnovers in the quarter, scoring six points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» The Rattlers held the Fire to only 39 percent shooting from the field.
» The Rattlers never trailed after taking a 27-14 first quarter lead.
» Florida A&M had a 48-34 edge on the boards in the win.
» The Florida A&M defense forced 15 turnovers.
» Florida A&M cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 19 offensive boards in the game.
» Tahnyjia Purifoy led the Rattlers with a game-high 15 points.
» Florida A&M got nine rebounds from both Shaniyah McCarthy and Camille Jackson.
