GRAMBLING, La. --The Florida A&M offense put on a ball-movement clinic on the road Saturday, notching 14 assists on 23 made shots, but the Rattlers fell to the Grambling Tigers 79-65.
The Rattlers (7-21, 6-11) had three players score in double figures, led by Miya Giles-Jones, who had 19 points. Shaniyah McCarthy tacked on 16 points and eight rebounds and Breazia Robinson helped out with 10 points.
Led by Giles-Jones' four offensive rebounds, Florida A&M did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 15 boards that resulted in 11 second chance points.
The Florida A&M defense caused its share of mistakes in Saturday's game, forcing 18 Grambling turnovers. Those takeaways turned into 10 points on the offensive end of the floor. Tahnyjia Purifoy's two steals led the way individually for the Rattlers.
How It Happened
After falling behind 17-14, Florida A&M went on a 6-0 run with 1:06 left in the first quarter, culminating in a three from McCarthy, to take a 20-17 lead. The Rattlers then lost some of that lead, but still entered the quarter break with a 20-19 advantage. Florida A&M did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 10 of its 20 points close to the basket.
The Rattlers could not maintain their lead in the second quarter and entered halftime trailing 39-34.
Florida A&M started to cut into the deficit after halftime, bringing it to 59-56 by the end of the third quarter. Florida A&M played well near the basket, scoring 12 of its 22 points in the paint.
Florida A&M could not pull any closer in the fourth, losing by a final of 79-65. Florida A&M got up and down the court quickly in the quarter, scoring three fast break points.
Game Notes
» The Rattlers shared the ball well, recording an assist on 61 percent of made field goals.
» The Florida A&M defense forced 18 turnovers.
» Florida A&M cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 15 offensive boards in the game.
» Miya Giles-Jones led the Rattlers with a game-high 19 points.
» Florida A&M got a team-high eight rebounds from Shaniyah McCarthy.
