SAVANNAH, Ga. (Feb. 16) – The Florida A&M Men’s Basketball teamheld off a determined Savannah State squad to escape with a 78-74 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory at Tiger Arena Saturday evening.
FAMU (11-16, 8-4 MEAC) regained sole possession of third place in the MEAC with the win, trailing Norfolk State (10-1) and North Carolina A&T (9-2) in the standings.
Saturday’s game also saw FAMU senior guard Justin Ravenel splash six three-pointers, to move ever closer to the school’s career three-point record of 279 (set by Terrence Woods in 2002-04).
The Lithonia, Ga., native has knocked down 272 shots from distance in his four-year career at FAMU, and Saturday’s performance (6 of 12), put him within striking distance of the lofty mark with four games remaining.
The Rattlers bolted out of the gate, shooting 52.8 percent (19 of 36) from the floor, rolling to a 50-38 halftime lead, as Ravenel splashed two of his six triples in the opening period.
Savannah State (9-16, 6-5 MEAC), made a 36-28 scoring charge in the second half, but the Rattlers proved clutch from beyond the arc (5 of 10) and the foul line (5 of 6) to withstand the Tigers.
SSU actually closed to one point, 75-74 with 56 seconds left, but three free throws gave the Rattlers edge to escape.
Ravenel led all scorers with 24 points, followed by center Isaiah Martin, who scored 16 points and pulled down nine rebounds, and Tracy Hector, who finished with 12 points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals.
Guard Nasir Core was clutch from distance, going a perfect three of three from beyond the arc. Kamron Reaves added four points, five board, three assists and three steals.
Zach Sellers led the Tigers with 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals. Jaquan Dotson added 14 points and six rebounds, and Romani Hansen chipped in 12 points and five boards.
WHAT’S NEXT: FAMU will head to Orangeburg, S.C., for a Monday night (7:30) bout against the South Carolina State Bulldogs.
