TALLAHASSEE, Fla. --Daisean Williford collected 22 points and Jaden Kempson added 21, but the Florida A&M men's basketball team fell to the Fort Valley State Wildcats 75-70 at home Thursday.
The Rattlers (0-2) had two players score in double figures, led by Williford, who had 22 points. Kempson added 21 points and seven rebounds and Antonio Baker Jr. added four points, seven rebounds and four steals.
Florida A&M out-rebounded Fort Valley State 39-36 in Thursday's game, led by Kempson's seven boards. The Rattlers also grabbed 13 offensive rebounds and scored 11 second chance points.
Florida A&M forced 13 Fort Valley State turnovers. The Rattlers turned those takeaways into 14 points on the other end of the floor. Baker Jr.'s four steals led the way for Florida A&M.
How It Happened
After jumping out to a 27-25 advantage, Florida A&M went on a 5-0 run with 2:20 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Williford, to increase its lead to 32-25. The Rattlers then lost some of that lead, but still entered halftime with a 34-28 advantage. Florida A&M did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 18 of its 34 points close to the basket.
Fort Valley State proceeded to take a 73-64 lead before Florida A&M went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Williford's three, to shrink the deficit to 73-70 with five seconds to go in the contest. Fort Valley State responded and outscored the Rattlers the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 75-70. Florida A&M shot well from three-point range in the half, hitting five shots from deep to score 15 of its 36 points.
Game Notes
»
Daisean Williford and
Jaden Kempson carried the load for the Rattlers, accounting for 61 percent their points.
» Florida A&M lost despite a 39-36 rebounding advantage.
» The Florida A&M defense forced 13 turnovers.
» Florida A&M cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 13 offensive boards in the game.
»
Daisean Williford had a game-high 22 points and
Jaden Kempson added 21.
» Florida A&M got a game-high seven rebounds from both
Jaden Kempson and
Antonio Baker Jr.
