FAMU basketball begins SWAC schedule with losses to Bethune-Cookman
TALLAHASSEE, FL ― Jordan Tillmon and Byron Smith combined to score 37 total points, but the Rattlers fell to the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats 67-59 at home Monday.
The Rattlers (2-10, 0-1) had two players score in double figures, led by Tillmon, who had 19 points. Smith added 18 points and six rebounds off the bench and Jaylen Bates added six points and 14 rebounds.
Florida A&M pulled down 41 rebounds in Monday's game compared to Bethune-Cookman's 31, led by Bates' 14 boards. The Rattlers also put in work on the offensive glass, turning 12 rebounds into 14 second chance points.
The FAMU defense held Bethune-Cookman shooters to only 38.5 percent from the field. The Rattlers also kept Kevin Davis to 4-of-14 shooting in the game.
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How It Happened
After falling behind 7-2, FAMU went on a 7-0 run with 17:32 left in the first half to take a 9-7 lead. The Rattlers then surrendered that lead and entered halftime down 29-20.
FAMU narrowed its deficit to 53-46 before going on a 5-0 run to shrink the deficit to 53-51 with 5:11 to go in the contest. Bethune-Cookman responded and outscored the Rattlers the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 67-59. FAMU got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 18 of its 39 total points.
Game Notes
» The Rattlers held the Wildcats to only 38.5 percent shooting from the field.
» Jordan Tillmon and Byron Smith carried the load for the Rattlers, accounting for 63 percent their points.
» The Florida A&M bench came alive by scoring 24 points to its scoring output.
» Florida A&M lost despite a 41-31 rebounding advantage.
» The Rattlers were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, recording five blocks as a team.
» Florida A&M cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 12 offensive boards in the game.
» Jordan Tillmon led the Rattlers with a game-high 19 points.
» Florida A&M got a game-high 14 rebounds from Jaylen Bates.The Rattlers hit the road to Baton Rouge and Ruston, Louisiana this weekend as they play at Southern and Grambling State.
FAMU women's basketball
The Florida A&M women's basketball team got a 26-point performance from the bench, but fell 85-50 to the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats at home Monday.
The Rattlers (2-10, 0-1) had three players score in double figures, led by Eliya Ellis, who had 13 points and six rebounds. Paulla Weekes added 11 points and two steals from the bench and Malerie Brooks chipped in as well with 10 points and two steals off the bench.
Dylan Horton pulled down four offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for FAMU, grabbing 17 boards and turning them into 12 second chance points.
FAMU forced 27 Bethune-Cookman turnovers. The Rattlers turned those takeaways into 22 points on the other end of the floor. Ivet Subirats' three steals led the way for FAMU.
How It Happened
FAMU struggled out of the gate, falling behind 26-6 at the end of the first quarter.
The Rattlers continued to lose ground in the second quarter and faced a 42-16 halftime deficit.
FAMU's deficit continued to grow after halftime, and the Rattlers faced a 59-27 disadvantage heading to the fourth quarter. FAMU took advantage of six Bethune-Cookman turnovers in the quarter, scoring five points off of takeaways.
FAMU kept the Wildcats from increasing their lead before going on a 5-0 run, finished off by Brooks' three, to shrink the deficit to 65-38 with 5:12 to go in the contest. Bethune-Cookman responded and outscored the Rattlers the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 85-50. Florida A&M took advantage of nine Bethune-Cookman turnovers in the quarter, scoring nine points off of those takeaways.
Game Notes
» The Rattlers shared the ball well, recording an assist on 67 percent of made baskets.
» The Florida A&M bench made an impact by adding 26 points to its scoring output.
» Paulla Weekes and Malerie Brooks came off the bench to score 11 and 10 points, respectively.
» The Florida A&M defense forced 27 turnovers.
» Florida A&M cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 17 offensive boards in the game.
» Eliya Ellis led the Rattlers with 13 points.
» Florida A&M got a team-high six rebounds from Eliya Ellis.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Basketball: Rattlers fall to Bethune-Cookman in SWAC opener
