The Florida A&M men’s basketball team steamrolled Allen University to earn its first win of the season by a final score of 94-65 in the Al Lawson Center on Monday night.
Six players scored in double digits for FAMU (1-7). Guard Reggie Lewis was the leading scorer with 16 points.
Forward Yannick Crowder scored 15 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. He was three blocked shots from a triple double with seven and added four steals.
The Rattlers expanded on their 13-point halftime lead with another offensive run in the second half.
They scored 49 points in the second half and shot 61 percent from the field. With two minutes left in the game, FAMU led by 36 points and was on pace to reach the century mark, but AU’s Christopher Riggs hit two threes to cut the deficit and quiet the 100-point chants.
“Generally what happens is we play hard the first five minutes against the teams we’ve played so far,” head coach Clemon Johnson said. “We’ll fall behind and one player will try to make up the difference on his own.”
The Rattlers used the momentum from the first half to dominate the second. They had 16 assists and 20 second-chance points.
“We played as a team and we didn’t have to rely on one person,” Johnson said.
The team also had 14 fast break points, 38 points off the bench and 52 points in the paint.
“To help my team win, I know I have to shoot the ball a lot. But I didn’t try to rush anything and get my team involved,” guard Avery Moore said.
FAMU’s suffocating defense limited the Yellow Jackets’ offensive production.
AU (3-10) shot 31 percent from the field, netting only 22 shots in 69 attempts. FAMU scored 33 points off 28 AU turnovers.
“What won us the game was our play on the defensive end. We forced more turnovers and scored off those turnovers,” Johnson said.
FAMU used a half court trap to force pressure and cause poor passes. They secured 25 steals and 12 blocks in the game.
Crowder said the team brought defensive intensity while focusing on unity and a strong effort.
The Rattlers are looking to build on their best offensive outing of the season. The team will return to action Thursday in the Al Lawson Center to take on Southeastern University at 7 p.m.