The Florida A&M men’s basketball team (4-6) defeated the Allen State University Yellow Jackets (2-10) Saturday 109-59.
Head basketball coach Clemon Johnson was pleased with the team’s performance.
“We need these types of games,” said Coach Clemon Johnson.
The Rattlers started the game with a 23-9 run. The Rattler defense came out aggressive in the first half deflecting passes and forcing shot clock violations. The Yellow Jackets had eight turnovers and shot 33 percent from the field in the first half. The Rattlers offense converted 20 of their 38 attempts in the first half and made 5 three pointers. At half time the Rattlers were up by 23 points.
The bench scored 64 points, outscoring the Yellow Jackets as a team.
“It’s great being able to play the last guy on your bench,” Johnson said.
The crowd erupted when freshman center McWisdom Badejo entered the game to play in his first minutes as a Rattler. He finished the game with 10 points and 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. On one play the 250 pound center drove down the court and passed to forward Michael Fabiyi who dunked the ball. Badeejo said working with Coach Johnson in practice has really helped him.
Coach Johnson talked highly about the bench’s performance in the game. Once the starters were subbed out of the game the bench did not let up. In the last 13 minutes the extended the 38-point lead to 50.
Junior guard Reggie Lewis contributed to the bench scoring output. Lewis is a third year social work student from Cleveland.
“It was a lot of fun with all the fast breaks,” said guard Reggie Lewis, a junior majoring in social work.
The second half was filled with dunks the bench came in with 13 minutes left to finished the game. Forward Michael Fabiyi stuffed the stat sheet recording 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and was a terror on defense clogging the passing lanes and stealing the ball three times.
The win Saturday makes it three in a row for the Rattlers. They have won 4 of their last 5 and will be facing Clemson in their next game.