The Florida A&M men’s basketball team relied on three-pointers early and often in its 93-70 victory over the Webber International Monday night.
Head coach Eugene Harris said his team’s size advantage played a big role in its efficient shooting night. The outcome was 9 for 16 shooting, posting 56.3 percent from behind the arc.
“The main reason we shot the ball so well was because we looked to the paint first,” Harris said. “I felt in the past that we just came out shooting and not worrying about the inside. When you go to the paint first they collapse on the bigs and we can kick the ball out for better looks. Tonight we got a lot of open shots from our guards.”
Guards Rasheem Jenkins and Reggie Lewis led the charge from deep and both connected on three shots from long range. Guard Avery Moore also hit two threes and leading Florida A&M’s leading scorer, forward Amin Stevens, connected on a three early in the game.
Stevens attributed fresh legs to the team’s solid shooting from the floor.
“We’ve been traveling all week,” Stevens said. “We got back at four in the morning, so we only had a light practice in the afternoon. We were well rested and people were feeling their shots.”
Guard Christopher Walker enjoyed the balance of the team effort in the victory, and said this should show that every member of the team is a valued asset.
“It really showed that everybody is a factor and it’s not just certain people that can hurt you,” Walker said. “You see that we can play as a team and really get some good results.”
Webber International head coach John Shoffner knew Florida A&M’s three point woes from the season, and tried to use that to his team’s advantage.
“They were shooting about 22 percent on the season. We wanted to give up the three-pointer and they were hitting it tonight,” Shoffner said.
The Rattlers surrendered the lead for only 20 seconds during the entire game. The size and defensive presence of the Rattlers post players contributed to the overall balance of the one-sided contest.
“With our size, we had nothing to matchup with them,” Shoffner said. “We tried to run and sometimes it worked for us, but most times it didn’t.”
Florida A&M’s next home game will be on Friday against Bethune-Cookman University, a game that Harris said the crowd should be the extra momentum the team needs.
“We need the entire student body to come out and help us on Friday. We need to fill the arena, and let the crowd be the sixth man,” he said.