Auryel Perkins, guard, and Tyra James, forward, on defense during Monday night’s basketball game against North Carolina Central.
Photo Submitted by Chapelle Johnson.
The Florida A&M women’s basketball team just couldn’t close out a tough game Monday night against North Carolina Central, losing 64-57 at the Lawson Center for the Rattlers’ fourth straight defeat.
“We lost another close one, I am disappointed in this game because I felt like it was our game but we just didn’t close it out like we should have,” coach LeDawn Gibson said.
The Rattlers came out playing at a fast pace. They were aggressive in the first half. Freshmen guard and Washington, D.C. native Mya Moye was 5-for-5 and senior guard Candice Williams was 2-for-3 but the energy seemed to shift into NCCU’s favor in the third quarter when the Rattlers’ defense lost its intensity.
“Defense is all about effort, if you give effort you will win the game. Our defense just disappeared,” Gibson said.
Even though the Rattlers were up 33-25 at the half, they gave up 39 points in the second half which allowed the Eagles to stay in the game and eventually come back from behind to take the lead.
“At the end of the day, defense wins ball games,” Gibson added.
The Rattlers are now 1-8 and last in the MEAC. However, even with the rough start to the season, the Rattlers are still looking forward to postseason play.
“We have the same goal as a team and we will continue to work toward it. Our record does not define us,” sophomore guard Morgan Mitchell said.
“Maturity is key when it comes to our young players, as a team, and I feel as if they are beginning to do well with the major roles they are given,” Mitchell added.
With just seven regular season games left, it is time now more than ever for the Rattlers to make a turn around in their season. They are 3-18 overall.
“I think we will be one of the most dangerous teams at the conference tournament if we can just put everything together,” Gibson said.
Though the record isn’t the best, the players still have a positive outlook on the season.
“We still have a chance to win a championship we just have to have better starts to get us going,” graduate point guard Candice Williams said.
“We have to get better everyday and continue to overcome adversity,” Williams added.
The Rattlers will prepare to take on Howard University in the first game of a double header this Saturday at 2 p.m.