Rattlers lose to Creighton University 53-78

 

Hard work should be rewarded.  But at times, people can fall short of their goals for reasons that are out of their control.  
 
Regardless of how hard people may try, some things still don’t go their way.  This tough lesson is just a part of life and it doesn’t matter if it’s in the classroom, on the job or on the court, sometimes people’s efforts just don’t cut it.
 
The Florida A&M Rattlers men’s basketball team had to learn this lesson the hard way in a loss to the Creighton University Bluejays on Tuesday in Omaha, Neb.  Despite out rebounding the Bluejays, the Rattlers lost the game 53-78.  FAMU pulled down a total of 41 rebounds while holding the Bluejays to only 37 rebounds.
 
The leading rebounders for FAMU were junior guard Christopher Walker and sophomore forward Yannick Crowder.  Walker and Crowder both had a game-high nine rebounds apiece.
 
Rebounding is a priority on any coach’s list for keys to victory, and it’s not always about being more athletic than your opponent.
 
“It’s about effort, and basically getting yourself in a good position for the board,” Walker said.
 
Crowder was also pleased with the Rattlers’ work on the glass.
 
“It was a good effort,” Crowder said.  “But there’s still things we need to work on.”
 
One of the “things” that Crowder alluded to was turnovers.  The Rattlers committed 29 turnovers on just six assists.  
 
“Coach was pleased with our efforts, but he was disappointed with the loss,” Crowder said.
 
Walker also recalled the coach’s sentiment about the team’s performance.
 
“Coach Harris liked the fact that we dominated the boards, but he felt as though we needed to rebound well for a whole game and cut down on turnovers,” Walker said.  
 
“Turnovers and not closing out on defense basically gave [Creighton] the game.”  
 
Strong rebounding, along with keeping turnovers to a minimum, is what the Rattlers will plan to do moving forward in the season.
 
“We need to minimize our turnovers and capitalize on the opponents turnovers,” Crowder said.
 
Walker wants the team to get a better chance at winning by no letting the other team make shots.  
 
“We want to keep at least the same effort, if not better, and not let the other team get second shots, that will give us a better chance of winning,” Walker said.