With the women’s basketball team coming off of its 75-71 win against Howard University, coach Debra Clark said she felt the victory was purely a product of hard work.
“They were mentally tough,” Clark said of her team’s win. “We had the lead. We fought, and we did not quit.”
Despite the win over the Lady Bison, Clark is still looking for production down low. Sophomore Denise Tate pulled 12 rebounds in the win over Howard, but had trouble scoring for the Lady Rattlers, after shooting 1 for 8 with just 2 points. “I’d like to get more consistent production in the post area,” Clark said.
In addition to being more productive down low, Clark also said the Lady Rattlers could work on limiting turnovers.
“We’re not taking care of the ball as well as we should be doing.”
But aside from their deficiencies on offense, Clark said the team has shown the ability to play as a team. “They play well together. We got good chemistry,” she said.
One bright spot for the team has been the play of their guards.Marke Freeman, a freshman sports medicine student from Springfield, Ill., has become a key player for FAMU. Freeman attributed her recent success to her faith as well as her own hard work.
“I just say hard work, dedication and prayer,” Freeman said. Even with her commended play, Freeman said she recognized the teams success has been a team effort.
Junior guard Q’Vaunda Curry has done her share of damage in recent weeks. Curry averaged 17.5 points and 3 assists to help the Lady Rattlers to a 2-0 mark last week.
Curry, a third-year business administration student from Quincy, serves as captain for the team and was recently nominated the MEAC Player of the Week.
“It was really good, it was an honor, and I wasn’t even expecting that.” Curry said. “I just had a great couple of games.”
Even with ongoing progression, the team knows Clark is still honing in on certain aspects of the Lady Rattlers’ game that need to improve.
“Communication, help defense and limiting turnovers would be good starts, as well as free throws,” Freeman said.Injuries could play a part in Saturday’s matchup.
Curry recently suffered a stress fracture to her thumb. The guard expects to play Saturday, but the team may be short of a point guard.
“Instead of three point guards, now we have two,” Clark said. “The other two now have more pressure on them, but they have been handling it well,” Clark said. Curry said the injury has not been that detrimental. Coming off an award-winning week, Curry is hoping the injury won’t hold her back.
“It’s good to play,” she said. “It doesn’t really bother me in the game. It’s been a week, but I have to keep the wrap on for three weeks.”
The game will begin 2 p.m Saturday at Gaither Gym.