ORANGEBURG, S.C. — The Florida A&M University women's basketball team rode a 15-9 third-quarter surge to ease past host South Carolina State, 44-39, on Saturday afternoon in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play at the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.
Saturday's win was the second in a row for FAMU (4-12 overall, 2-3 MEAC), which also won back-to-back games for the first time this season, after last Monday's 58-48 home victory over Coppin State.
The home team Bulldogs fell to 2-15 overall, 1-3 in MEAC on the season.
HOW FAMU WON SATURDAY
Florida A&M trailed 10-8 after the first period, but outscored SCSU, 11-9, in the second period to pull even with the home team, 19-19, at the half.
The tide turned for FAMU in the third quarter, as they outpaced the Bulldogs, 15-9 to take a 34-28 lead into the final quarter.
The Lady Rattlers were edged by SCSU, 11-10 in the final 10 minutes, but their third quarter surge was enough to win the day.
THE LEADING LADIES
Shalunda Burney Robinson paced Florida A&M with her fifth double-double of the year, a game-high 16 points and 11 boards, followed by Alaina Rice, who pulled down 11 rebounds to go with seven points, three assists and three steals.
Kailya Jackson registered eight points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Mikyah Mack and Staysha Allen pulling down nine and eight rebounds, respectively.
Jayah Hicks led South Carolina State with 10 points and nine rebounds, followed by De'Mean Bond with 10 rebounds and nine points. Heniaya Moten finished with eight points for State, hitting the lone 3-pointer for the Bulldogs Saturday.
A PEEK INSIDE THE NUMBERS
> Saturday's game was likely the coldest shooting-contest two teams could have, as both squads shot in the 20-percent range for the game. FAMU finished 13-of-60 for 21.7 percent, while SCSU hit 11-of-50 field goals for a 22 percent showing,
> Both teams managed just one 3-pointer made (FAMU, 1-of-17; SCSU, 1-of-10), while both contestants shot over 60 percent from the foul line (FAMU, 17-of-26, 65.4 percent; SCSU, 16-of-26, 61.5 percent).
> The Lady Rattlers owned the rebounding edge, 58-38, and had 22 turnovers to 19 for the Lady Bulldogs.
WHAT'S NEXT FOR FAMU: The Lady Rattlers return home to host North Carolina Central in a 2 p.m. Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) matinee on Monday at the Al Lawson Center.
