FAMU (3-14, 1-3 MEAC) appeared to be in control, leading
17-16 after one period, thanks to back-to-back three-pointers late by Florence
Ouatarra (1:32) and Dawn King (0.04), then extending their edge to 10 points,
35-25 at the half.
King nailed another triple with 6:24 left in the third
period, then Shakerrya Morrison hit one of two free throws to push FAMU to its’
largest lead of the game at 16 points, 41-25.
Savannah would tie the game at 43-43 on a triple by Kenyata
Hendrix with 8:51, and Hendrix would give her club the lead for good, 48-47 at
the 4:33 mark, thanks to a pair of made free throws.
The Tigers went on to outscore FAMU, 8-5 down the stretch,
but the Rattlers remained in contention until the bitter end, with Cedricka
Sweeting’s three-pointer with 1:06 left pulling her club within three points at
53-50.
But Shakerrya Morrison’s missed layup with 22 seconds, and a
resulting FAMU foul, put Hendrix on the line for two made charity tosses with
13 seconds left to stake the Tigers to a 55-50 cushion.
Sweeting led FAMU with 12 points and five assists. Ouattara
added nine points, hitting a trio of three-pointers, with Dawn King scoring
eight points, and Morrison pulling down a season high 14 rebounds for the
Rattlers.
Lauren Moss led SSU with 16 points, followed by Hendrix with
15 points, and Jeremica Edwards with 10 rebounds.