Photo courtesy: FAMU Athletics
Senior day was lively and exciting for the Rattlers going into their matchup against the Grambling State Tigers as the seniors played one of their final games in the Lawson Center. The six seniors were honored at half-court before the game.
Senior, Dylan Horton, has enjoyed her collegiate basketball career and spoke about her time at Famu.
“FAMU is home, I love the family culture here, and FAMU has had a huge impact on me,” Horton said. “Coach Pillows allowing me to play here was amazing, and I love the game of basketball, and to be able to play is a blessing.”
The team started slow after scoring just 7 points in the first quarter while allowing the tigers to force three early turnovers on the Rattlers as they trailed to end the quarter 7-14.
Coach Pillows talked about the slow start after the game.
“In the beginning, we didn’t get out to the start we wanted to, and we couldn’t get out of the hole,” Pillow said. “I think we had a really hard time transitioning from the senior night and all of the other festivities.”
During the second quarter, the Rattlers’ struggles continued as the Tigers began an 11-2 run, allowing them a 13-point lead.
The Tigers’ 2-3 defensive zone caused the Rattlers problems as the team struggled to find opportunities at the basket. The Rattlers ended the half trailing in the game 29-11.
The team came out of the half playing hard on both sides of the floor as they began the quarter on a 5-0 run. The Rattler started to get hot on the offensive end, attacking in the paint and within the three-point line.
The team brought the game close in the second half thanks to starting point forward Dylan Horton, who began to heat up throughout the game. Horton led the team with 11 points and spoke about her performance after the game.
The Rattlers fought hard until senior day’s end but fell short to the Grambling state tigers 61-46.
Entering the last few games of the season, Coach Pillows spoke with her team about staying motivated despite being eliminated from qualifying for the 2023 SWAC tournament.
“We are looking to finish off the season strong, we haven’t won back-to-back games since 2018 as a program, and we have two games right in front of us that can change that.”