FAMU basketball splits doubleheader versus Alabama A&M

TALLAHASSEE ― Mide Oriyomi hit a buzzer-beating shot with just one second left in the game to lead the Florida A&M women's basketball team over the Alabama A&M Bulldogs 69-67 at home Saturday.

The Rattlers (4-15, 2-6 SWAC) had three players score in double figures, led by Oriyomi, who had 24 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Ahriahna Grizzle tacked on 19 points and Dylan Horton helped out with 11 points and two steals.

Oriyomi pulled down four offensive rebounds to lead an offense that racked up second chance opportunities for FAMU, grabbing 11 boards and turning them into 10 second chance points.

FAMU forced 18 Alabama A&M turnovers while committing 10 themselves in Saturday's game. The Rattlers turned those takeaways into 19 points on the offensive end of the floor. Oriyomi's three steals led the way for FAMU.

How It Happened

After falling behind 15-13, FAMU went on an 8-0 run with 1:42 left in the first quarter to take a 21-15 lead, a score that would hold for the rest of the period. FAMU capitalized on four Alabama A&M turnovers in the period, turning them into nine points on the other end of the floor.

FAMU kept its first quarter lead intact before going on a 7-0 run starting at the 6:25 mark in the second period, highlighted by a bucket from Horton, to increase its lead to 30-20. The Bulldogs cut into that lead, but the Rattlers still enjoyed a 31-29 advantage heading into halftime. FAMU dominated in the paint, scoring six of its 10 points close to the basket.

Alabama A&M then took a 37-33 lead following intermission before FAMU went on a 6-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Oriyomi, to grab a 39-37 lead with 2:59 to go in the third. Alabama A&M responded to seize a 45-39 lead entering the fourth quarter. FAMU played well near the basket, scoring four of its eight points in the paint.

Alabama A&M kept widening its lead in the fourth, constructing a 55-48 advantage before FAMU went on a 5-0 run, finished off by Oriyomi's layup, to shrink the deficit to 55-53 with 3:48 to go in the fourth. The Rattlers rally continued as they outscored Alabama A&M 8-6 the rest of the way to tie it at 61-61 and send the game to overtime.

FAMU then took care of business in extra time, outscoring Alabama A&M 8-6 to seize victory by the 69-67 final score.

Game Notes

» Oriyomi hit a buzzer beater with one second left.

» The Rattlers rallied from a six-point 45-39 third quarter deficit to force the game into overtime.

» The Rattlers held the Bulldogs to only 36.7 percent shooting from the field.

» Mide Oriyomi, Ahriahna Grizzle, and Dylan Horton combined to account for 78 percent of the Rattlers points.» The FAMU defense forced 18 turnovers.

» FAMU cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 11 offensive boards in the game.

» Mide Oriyomi led the Rattlers with a game-high 24 points.

» FAMU got eight rebounds from both Paulla Weekes and Mide Oriyomi.

Defensive effort not enough as FAMU men's basketball loses to Alabama A&M

The FAMU men's basketball team held Alabama A&M to just 16.7 percent from 3-point range in a 2-for-12 shooting performance, but fell 61-56 to the Bulldogs at home Saturday.

The Rattlers (3-16, 1-7 SWAC) had three players score in double figures, led by Noah Meren, who had 15 points and four assists. Dimingus Stevens added 12 points from the bench and Byron Smith helped out with 10 points and two steals from the bench.

FAMU grabbed 36 rebounds in Saturday's game compared to Alabama A&M's 33, led by six boards from Jordan Tillmon. The Rattlers also put in work on the offensive glass, turning 13 rebounds into 16 second chance points.

How It Happened

After falling behind 27-19, FAMU went on a 5-0 run with 3:17 left in the first half to narrow its deficit to 27-24. Alabama A&M answered back and added to its lead, leaving the Rattlers down 32-26 entering halftime.

Alabama A&M kept widening its lead after intermission, constructing a 55-45 advantage before FAMU went on a 6-0 run, finished off by Saiyd Burnside's layup, to shrink the deficit to 55-51 with 3:44 to go in the contest. Alabama A&M responded and outscored the Rattlers the rest of the way, ending the game with a final score of 61-56. FAMU shot well from three-point range in the half, hitting five shots from deep to score 15 of its 30 points.

Game Notes

» FAMU found success from beyond the arc, knocking down eight treys in the game.

» The Rattlers put on a passing clinic, recording an assist on 78 percent of made field goals.

» FAMU played solid perimeter defense, holding Alabama A&M to 17 percent from beyond the arc on 12 attempts.

» The FAMU bench came alive by adding 26 points to its scoring output.

» Dimingus Stevens and Byron Smith came off the bench to score 12 and 10 points, respectively.

» FAMU lost despite a 36-33 rebounding advantage.

» FAMU cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 13 offensive boards in the game.

» Noah Meren led the Rattlers with 15 points.

» FAMU got a team-high six rebounds from Jordan Tillmon.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Basketball: Oriyomi's late bucket lifts women over AAMU, men fall