In a night charged with rivalry intensity and postseason implications, FAMU basketball gave the home crowd of about 3,300 plenty to roar about, sweeping Bethune-Cookman in a hard-fought doubleheader Thursday evening at the Al Lawson Center.
The Rattler men (14-15, 11-7 SWAC) extended their winning streak to four games, but not without a fight. In a back-and-forth second half that saw six lead changes, FAMU leaned on defense, hustle, and resilience to outlast Bethune-Cookman, 81–77.
“That’s what rivalry games are all about—responding when it gets tough,” said Head Coach Charlie Ward. “We didn’t panic. We trusted our system and each other.”
Though Bethune-Cookman built a seven-point lead late, the Rattlers clawed back behind relentless offensive rebounding (16 offensive boards) and defensive pressure, forcing 16 turnovers. Jaquan Sanders led all scorers with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Tyler Shirley chipped in 17 points. But it was Micah Octave who set the tone—finishing with nine points, 11 rebounds, and five steals, setting the table for the gritty win.
With seconds remaining and the game still in doubt, freshman guard Kaleb Washington calmly sank two free throws to ice the game, sending the Rattler faithful into a frenzy.
Not to be outdone, the FAMU women (8-21, 7-11 SWAC) snapped a frustrating five-game losing streak with a determined 66–60 victory over the Wildcats on senior night.
Led by Shaniyah McCarthy’s 14 points and seven rebounds, the Rattlers played with urgency on both ends, forcing 20 turnovers and capitalizing with 18 points off those takeaways. Guard Ahriahna Purifoy was everywhere—posting nine points, nine assists, and six steals in a complete floor game.
“We’ve been so close these last few weeks,” said Purifoy. “To get this one, for the seniors, for our fans—it means everything. We never stopped believing.”
The Rattlers closed the game on a 12-5 run, sealing the win with stifling defense and timely buckets, offering a momentum boost heading into the conference tournament.
It was more than just two wins—it was a statement. On a night when every possession mattered, FAMU basketball showed heart, toughness, and a refusal to fold. For the men, it’s a fourth straight win at the perfect time. For the women, it’s a skid-snapping, confidence-building sendoff heading into next week's SWAC Tournament.