The FAMU men's basketball team (8-12, 5-4 SWAC) saw their five-game winning streak come to an end on Monday night as they fell short in a 67-66 loss to Alabama State (9-13, 5-4 SWAC). Despite a valiant comeback effort, the Rattlers were unable to overcome an early 18-point deficit.
The Rattlers found themselves in a deep hole early in the game, trailing by as many as 18 points in the first half. However, they began to claw their way back into the game with a 12-0 run, capped off by a bucket from Ja'Derryus Eatmon, which narrowed the deficit to 38-35. FAMU entered halftime trailing by five, 40-35.
In the second half, Alabama State continued to extend their lead, building a 57-41 advantage. But the Rattlers were not done yet. They responded with a dominant 13-0 run that cut their deficit to 57-54 with 8:38 remaining in the game. Sterling Young's clutch 3-pointer brought the home team within one point, 63-62, at the 2:28 mark.
With just 15 seconds left on the clock, Shaqir O'Neal converted a four-point play, bringing the Rattlers within striking distance. However, despite their best efforts, FAMU was unable to complete the comeback and fell short by a single point, 67-66.
FAMU head coach, Patrick Carrey II, expressed his pride in his team's effort. "I'm incredibly proud of the way our guys fought back in this game. We were down big early, but they never gave up. It's a tough loss, but it shows the character of this team."
Alabama State head coach, Tony Madlock, acknowledged the Rattlers' resilience. "Florida A&M made it a very tough game for us. They have a lot of fight in them, and we had to dig deep to hold on for the win."
The Rattlers will look to regroup and refocus as they continue their season. Their next game is scheduled for February 8 when they travel to Texas Southern, the No. 2 team in the conference. Despite the loss, the team's performance in the second half showed that they have the potential to bounce back and continue their pursuit of a strong finish in the SWAC.
The 67-66 loss to Alabama State was a heartbreaker for the Rattlers, but it also highlighted their resilience and determination. With the right adjustments and continued effort, FAMU has the opportunity to build on their recent success and make a strong push in the remainder of the season.