FAMU (7-17, 5-6 MEAC) trailed 37-34 at the half, after
shooting 42 percent (12 of 28) to the Aggies’ 50 percent (15 of 30).
The Rattlers turned the tables in the second in all phases
offensively, shooting a robust 56 percent (14 of 25) from the floor, 75 percent
(3 of 4) from distance, and most importantly, 94.7 percent (18 of 19) from the
free throw line.
It was Barham’s traditional three-point play, a layup and a
free throw, that put the Rattlers ahead, 41-39 with 18:23 to go, capping a 7-2
FAMU run to open the half.
The Rattlers and Aggies played a tightly contested game down
the stretch, but FAMU began to assert control at the foul line, as freshman
Nasir Core cashed in at pair of charity tosses to put his team up 62-57 with
10:06 left, then knocked down two more with 4:42 left to a 72-66 lead.
But the Aggies were not done, as they pulled to within one
at 76-75 on a James Whitaker triple with 1:15 left, then Barham drilled a
triple to push the Rattlers ahead, 79-75.
A&T’s Raymond Pratt hit a layup with 35 seconds left to
slice the Rattler lead to 79-77, but Ravenel sank a pair of foul shots with 24
seconds left for an 81-77 edge, then Barham added a slam dunk off an Aggie
turnover for the game’s final points.
Sam Hunt led A&T (2-23, 0-10 MEAC) with 19 points,
followed by Amari Hamilton with 17 points, and James Whitaker with 15 points
and seven rebounds.