In a thrilling doubleheader at the Al Lawson Center in Tallahassee, the FAMU women’s basketball team kicked off their Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) season with a hard-fought 62-54 victory over Bethune-Cookman, while the men’s team suffered a narrow 62-55 loss in front of a spirited crowd of nearly 2,800 fans.
The FAMU women’s team (4-8, 1-0 SWAC) showcased a strong performance, with two players scoring in double figures. Cheyenne McEvans led the charge with an impressive 23 points, complemented by six assists and four steals. Sabou Gueye contributed 12 points and three steals, while D'Mya Griffin added eight points and six rebounds. The Rattlers dominated the offensive glass, led by Eliya Ellis, who grabbed four offensive rebounds. FAMU pulled down a total of 15 offensive rebounds, converting them into nine crucial second-chance points. The team’s defense was equally impressive, holding Bethune-Cookman to just 34 percent shooting from the field and a mere 15.4 percent from beyond the arc.
On the men’s side, the Rattlers (3-9, 0-1 SWAC) started strong, building a 10-point lead at 12-2 in the first half thanks to a stellar performance from Milton Matthews. Matthews finished the game with a team-high 20 points, including four three-pointers. However, the Wildcats (4-10, 1-0 SWAC) mounted a steady comeback, taking their first lead late in the first half. The game remained tightly contested throughout, featuring 11 lead changes and seven ties. Despite their early advantage, the Rattlers were unable to maintain their momentum, ultimately falling short by seven points.
The doubleheader provided an exciting start to the SWAC season for FAMU, with the women’s team securing a crucial victory and the men’s team showing flashes of brilliance despite the loss. Both teams will look to build on their performances as they continue their conference schedules
The men's team returns to action on January 11, when they travel to Baton Rouge, La, to face Southern University. The women travel to Grambling to face the Tigers on January 9.