TALLAHASSEE, Fla. --Five Rattlers scored in double digits and Florida A&M defeated the Texas Southern Tigers 86-73 at home Saturday.
The Rattlers (7-15, 6-5) had five players score in double figures, led by Shaniyah McCarthy, who had 19 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Tahnyjia Purifoy added 19 points, four assists and two steals and Cornelia Ellington helped out with 14 points, six rebounds and two steals.
Led by Breazia Robinson's five offensive rebounds, Florida A&M did a great job crashing the offensive glass, pulling down 16 boards that resulted in 17 second chance points.
Florida A&M forced 15 Texas Southern turnovers while committing 11 themselves in Saturday's game. The Rattlers turned those takeaways into 13 points on the other end of the floor. Miya Giles-Jones' five steals led the way for Florida A&M.
How It Happened
After falling behind 12-11, Florida A&M went on a 6-0 run with 1:36 left in the first quarter to take a 17-12 lead, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. Florida A&M did most of its first quarter damage in the paint, scoring 10 of its 17 points close to the basket.
Florida A&M kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 7-0 run starting at the 2:49 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from McCarthy, to increase its lead to 38-26. The Tigers cut into that lead, but the Rattlers still enjoyed a 38-27 advantage heading into halftime. Florida A&M ran the fast break well, scoring five fast break points.
Florida A&M continued to preserve its halftime lead before going on a 5-0 run to expand its lead further to 55-48 with 1:03 to go in the third. The Rattlers held onto that lead for the rest of the frame and entered the fourth quarter with a 57-50 edge. Florida A&M played well near the basket, scoring 12 of its 19 points in the paint.
Florida A&M kept widening that lead, expanding it to 79-71 before going on a 7-0 run to grow the lead to 86-71 with 13 seconds to go in the contest. The Tigers narrowed the margin somewhat before the game was over, but the Rattlers still cruised the rest of the way for the 86-73 win. Florida A&M got a boost from its bench in the period, with non-starters scoring 12 of its 29 total points.
Game Notes
» The Rattlers never trailed after taking a 17-12 first quarter lead.
» Five Florida A&M players scored 10 or more points.
» Florida A&M had a 42-34 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 16 offensive boards in the game.
» Shaniyah McCarthy and Tahnyjia Purifoy led the Rattlers with 19 points apiece.
» Florida A&M got a game-high nine rebounds from Miya Giles-Jones.
