Momentum in college basketball is a fickle force, often gained not with a single explosive play, but through a relentless accumulation of effort. On Saturday night at H.O. Clemmons Arena, the FAMU Rattlers went mining for it in the grittiest of places: the defensive end, the offensive glass, and the passing lanes.
The result was a hard-fought 71-67 victory over the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions, a win that extends the Rattlers’ winning streak to three games and, more importantly, solidifies their standing in the SWAC race at 3-1, tied for first place in the conference.
“Road wins in this conference, they’re never pretty. They’re about heart and hustle,” said a sweat-soaked Jaquan Sanders, who led all scorers with 18 points. “We knew we had to come in here and fight for every possession. That’s what this team is building right now.”
The fight was evident from the opening tip. After a back-and-forth first half that saw FAMU (6-9 overall) squander a small lead to enter the break down 31-30, the game settled into a tense, possession-by-possession grind in the second.
But the Rattlers’ engine was humming, fueled by unselfish ball movement that sliced through the Golden Lions’ defense. They piled up 16 assists on 24 made field goals, a testament to a shared offensive vision. The conductor was point guard Micah Octave, who dished out a game-high seven dimes while also anchoring the defense with a relentless four steals.
“When we move the ball like that, we’re a tough team to guard,” Octave said. “It’s not about one guy. It’s about finding the open man.”
That philosophy was on full display as the Rattlers’ scoring was a balanced affair. Alongside Sanders’ 18, Jordan Chatman provided a crucial 17 points, and Miles Ndalama added 15, giving FAMU a trio of consistent offensive threats.
Yet, with under a minute to play and the game hanging in the balance, it was defense that sealed the deal. Clinging to a narrow lead, the Rattlers forced UAPB into a critical turnover, one of 13 they caused on the night. Those miscues were converted into 16 vital points on the other end.
“Our identity is on the defensive end,” said Head Coach Charlie Ward. “Creating those extra possessions with steals and offensive rebounds is what wins you close games on the road. The guys bought in completely tonight.”
And on the glass, FAMU was simply dominant. They outrebounded UAPB 33-24, with Octave pulling down a team-high eight boards. Most impressively, they grabbed 10 offensive rebounds, generating second-chance opportunities that slowly broke the Golden Lions’ spirit down the stretch.
A 6-0 run in the final two minutes, capped by a driving layup, gave the Rattlers a 67-62 cushion with 58 seconds remaining—a lead they would not surrender, despite a late UAPB push.
As the final horn sounded, the Rattlers’ celebration was more about exhaustion than exhilaration—a quiet acknowledgment of a job well done. They are a team finding its rhythm at the perfect time, building something significant one gritty, road win at a time.