The FAMU Women’s basketball team lost their conference home opener on Saturday, to Morgan State 59-47.
The Bears moved to (6-10), while the Rattlers fell to (2-12) on the season. The Rattlers are now in a three-way tie for the last place in the MEAC (0-3) with a nine-game losing streak.
The Rattlers started fast in the first quarter against the Bears with an early 20-15 lead. Even at halftime, the game was still close with the score being 29-24. But in the second half, the Rattlers took their foot off the gas and Morgan took advantage. Between the second and third quarter FAMU scored just 13 points.
“Well we got to be smart we got ourselves in a lot of foul situations that had us force some change of personnel and some of the things that we were doing,” said Head Coach Kevin Lynum.
Both teams shot poorly from the field and from three-point range. FAMU went 19-61 (31%) from the field and 2-20 (20%) from three-point range. Morgan State went shot 34% from the field and 31% from three-point range. Morgan State led in points in the paint 26-24, points off turnovers 24-19, second-chance points 16-15, fast-break points 4-0, and bench points 23-6.
“Well I’m going to say defensively we got to play better defense that’s the bottom line cause even though we scored four points in the second quarter they scored fourteen if they scored zero points we’re still ahead in this game,” said Lynum.
Center Shalunda Burney-Robinson led the Rattlers in points (18), rebounds (9) and field goal percentage (66%). Guard Alaina Rice scored in double figures, scoring 10 points and grabbing 8 rebounds.
“Shalunda came out here and played a heck of a game for us kid got it done in a variety of ways scoring at 15 to 17 feet away from the basket down to being right there by the ball,” said Lynum. “And then also protecting the rim on defense so very proud and excited for her about the game she was able to come out and have,” Lynum added.
FAMU will look to seek their first conference win at 6 p.m. on Monday when they host Coppin State in the first game of a doubleheader.