FAMU’s women’s basketball secured a victory over the Southern University Jaguars 57-50 at Al-Lawson.
Dylan Horton led the team in points, dropping 19 points. Behind Horton was Ahriahna Grizzle with 11 points and Ivet Subirats with nine.
Coach Pillow spoke about her excitement going into this last home game.
“The great part about having senior night on Saturday is that we still have the opportunity to come back today and compete and finish out,” Pillow said.
Both teams started at a slow pace. The Rattlers began in a 2-3 zone, which caused problems for the Jaguars early in the first quarter.
Southern had a defensive scheme of their own, icing ball screens and picking up 94 feet, making it hard for the Rattler guards early.
Subirats had a slow start coming out with five points midway through the first quarter. Offensively, both teams needed help making consistent shots and free throws.
With a low scoring of 16-15 in the first quarter with the Rattlers leading,
The Rattlers found some urgency starting the second quarter with a steal by Subirates leading to an and one by Paulla Weeks!
The Jaguars matched their intensity on the offensive end knocking down a three and a pull-up jumper. The Jaguars kept their heavy ball pressure on the defensive end early in the second quarter.
Both teams were making their presence known in the paint, crashing the glass, drawing fouls, and going to the rim!
Closer to the end of the second quarter, the Rattlers were getting stops on the defensive end, knocking down threes, getting paint touches, and getting second-chance opportunities to force a Jaguars timeout with 2:03 remaining, leading 28-26.
Dylan Horton helped the Rattlers on the offensive end down the stretch to extend their lead by 31-26 going into the half.
Horton picked up where she left off, scoring the opening second-half bucket. The Jaguars quickly responded, coming out with an 8-6 run early in the third.
Midway through the third quarter, the Jaguars switched from a man-to-man press to a zone press, causing havoc for the Rattlers!
With the Jaguars’ constant changes on defense, they were slowly inching back. With 3:48 in the third, the Rattlers led 39-34.
The Rattlers kept their lead entering the fourth quarter, 41-38!
Southern opened the fourth quarter with a three in the corner, but Grizzle quickly responded with one of her own. Grizzle came back down again, making another three!
With 4:50 remaining, the Rattlers were in the lead 48-45. After the 4:50 minute mark, the competition became a grit and grind game. Both teams were scratching and clawing to score and get stops.
Each possession mattered, with a close game coming to an end!
With 1:07 remaining, Grizzle kept the Rattlers in front at 53-50.
Following her bucket, she was three out of four from the free-throw line, sealing the deal.
Coach Pillow spoke about the last home game victory.
“It was great to send them off with a W at home,” Pillow said.
Horton talked about how special it was to win their last home game of the season with her teammates.
“It was definitely special to me, being the last home game I wanted to get this dub on FAMU’s floor,” said Horton.
The Rattlers plan to chase history by winning back-to-back games. They face Bethune-Cookman Saturday, March 4th.