Rattlers struck by Wildcats in season finale

The Rattlers fell short in a senior night thriller Thursday to rival Bethune-Cookman,70-68.

Florida A&M head coach Clemon Johnson felt the sluggish play was to blame for the loss.

“The game will end up with someone shooting a last shot to win the ball game,” Johnson said. “It caught up with us in the end.”

Johnson hopes this senior night loss to the Wildcats (7-24, 5-11 MEAC) serves as a wakeup call to the team.

Despite turning over the ball eight times and shooting 33 percent from the field, the Rattlers (13-17, 8-8 MEAC) maintained a two-point lead at the end of the first half.

The Rattlers had the largest lead of the game in the second half, stretching it to eight points. But the Wildcats managed to close out the game late in the second half.

Senior guard Reggie Lewis led the Rattlers in scoring with 29 points in his final home game.

“We didn’t win tonight, but I still think we clicked,” Lewis said.

Sophomore forward Trey Kellum finished with 10 rebounds off the bench.

Kellum feels the Rattlers are still ready to battle in the MEAC tournament.

“The regular season is beyond us now,” Kellum said. “We have to take it game by game. It’s win or go home now.”

FAMU and Bethune-Cookman split their regular season series 1-1.

The Rattlers will play Delaware State to open the MEAC tournament Monday.