Florida A&M University’s women’s basketball team snapped a four-game losing streak Monday by defeating Tuskegee in overtime at the Lawson Center. Ivet Subirats hit the game-winning layup with about five seconds left to go in overtime.
Paulla Weekes led the team in scoring with a career-high 21 points, snagging ten rebounds. The team forced 23 turnovers, and Ahriahna Grizzle had a massive impact on the defensive end. Grizzle is leading the team this season with six steals.
The team’s top scorer, Dylan Horton, picked up three early fouls, causing her to sit on the bench for most of the 2nd quarter. Without their leading guard, the team still outscored Tuskegee 20-11 in the 2nd quarter, shooting 62% from the field. This run swung the game in the Rattler’s favor. Including Horton, the Rattlers had four players score double figures.
Following the game, coach Pillow was pleased about the win and commended the team’s run.
“It shows how well we are gelling,” Pillow said. “Our leading scorer goes out, and we did not skip a beat; we kept on grinding, and she was able to come back in seamlessly.”
FAMU shined behind the arc as well, shooting around 37%. Malerie Brooks led the team in threes, shooting an impressive 3-6. Weekes and the nation’s leading three-point scorer, Horton, made two out of the four threes they attempted.
Tuskegee made it challenging for FAMU, forcing 31 turnovers led by JuToreyia Willis, who had nine steals. The Golden Tigers were able to take the game back into control by outscoring FAMU 17 to 10 in the third quarter.
Both teams played a very physical game, diving on the floor for loose balls and had a combined 42 foul calls. FAMU was able to out-rebound Tuskegee 44-35. Weekes led the team in rebounds tonight with 10, earning herself a double-double.
After the game, Weekes stated, “This one means a lot; winning at home and then going on the road gives us that extra motivation and makes us ready for the next opponent.”
With only 2% attendance, a little under 200 fans, the Lady Rattlers are looking for more crowd support at their next home game matchup to keep up the momentum.
FAMU will go on a three-game road tour, with their first opponent being the Mississippi State Bulldogs Thursday, Dec. 15.