On a night when the ball seemed to have eyes for the net, the FAMU men’s basketball team snapped a four-game losing streak in emphatic fashion, outgunning Prairie View A&M 100–96 in a Monday night thriller at the Al Lawson Center.
The victory wasn’t just a return to the win column—it was a record-setting statement. The Rattlers (9–13, 6–5 SWAC) poured in their first 100-point game since 2016 and their first as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, doing so behind a blistering 73.3% shooting performance from beyond the arc and an unselfish, balanced attack that saw seven players score in double figures.
Jordan Chatman came off the bench to lead all scorers with 18 points, while Kaleb Washington added 15 points and three steals, and Tyler Shirley contributed 13 points in a complete team effort that showcased FAMU’s offensive firepower at its finest.
“When we move the ball like that, we’re a tough team to guard,” said Head Coach Charlie Ward. “The unselfishness, the trust—that’s what you build on. This is the kind of performance that reminds everyone what we’re capable of.”
The Rattlers set the tone early, racing to a 33–21 lead before unleashing a devastating 9–0 run capped by a bucket from Anquan Boldin Jr. to push the margin to 42–21 with just over eight minutes left in the first half. By halftime, FAMU led 56–34, fueled by nine three-pointers that electrified the home crowd.
The second half opened with more of the same, as a Micah Octave triple pushed the lead to 27. But the Panthers (9–15, 4–7) refused to fold, mounting a persistent comeback that trimmed the deficit to just four by the final buzzer. Still, the Rattlers never relinquished the lead, answering every Prairie View push with timely buckets and key stops.
Octave and Miles Ndalama tied for a game-high nine rebounds, while Sanders dished out seven assists in a display of backcourt command.
The win keeps FAMU firmly in the mix in the SWAC standings as the conference race heats up. If Monday was any indication, these Rattlers aren’t just winning—they’re doing it with style.
Next up: FAMU looks to carry this momentum into a critical road test at Jackson State on Saturday.