The FAMU Rattler basketball team (1-6, 0-0 MEAC) fell to the South Carolina Gamecocks (2-2, 0-0 SEC) 78-71 in Columbia, S.C.
The Rattlers were propelled freshman guard Jalen Speer who scored a career-high 21 points.
Speer went 7-of-12 from the field, added three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and was 3-of-5 from three-point range.
Three other Rattlers scored in double-figures.
Kamron Reaves scored 11 points with three assists and two rebounds. MJ Randolph finished with 10 points four rebounds, three assists and two steals. DJ Jones contributed 10 points with three rebounds.
Speer went 7-of-12 from the field, added three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and was 3-of-5 from three-point range.
Three other Rattlers scored in double-figures.
Kamron Reaves scored 11 points with three assists and two rebounds. MJ Randolph finished with 10 points four rebounds, three assists and two steals. DJ Jones contributed 10 points with three rebounds.
FAMU connected on 45.6 percent of its field goal attempts (26-of-57) while South Carolina shot 41.4 percent from the field (29-of-70).
The difference in the game came down to second-chance points and offensive rebounds. South Carolina snagged 14 offensive rebounds and scored 14 second-chance points, compared to just five second-chance points and six offensive rebounds for the Rattlers.
The Rattlers return home to open up MEAC play on January 9th against defending MEAC champion North Carolina Central in the Al Lawson Center.