FAMU’s ‘win streak’ ends at one

Jorge Rosa hits the baseline – Courtesy FAMU Sports Info.

The Florida A&M University’s men’s basketball could not put together back-to-back wins as North Carolina Central University (20-6, 12-0 MEAC) blew out the Rattlers 73-48.

FAMU (1-24, 1-11 MEAC) got out played in all facets of the game. The Rattlers were out rebounded 34 to 23, outscored in the paint by six points and lost the turnover battle 9-7. The Eagles defensive pressure forced the Rattlers to give the ball away nine times and they capitalized on their transition opportunities throughout the game.

Head Coach Byron Samuels elaborated on the team’s disappointing play against the Eagles after their first victory of the season over the weekend.

“We just didn’t play well,” Samuels said. “I don’t know if coming off of Saturday’s game had anything to do with it, but we’re not excuse makers, give Central an awful a lot of credit their a good basketball team…we have to find some other players to step up and help us if we’re going to have success.”

The two bright spots for the Rattlers were Jermaine Ruttley and Jorge Rosa. They combined for 33 points in the game.

Jermaine Ruttley was on the attack against the Eagles’ tough physical defense. He spoke about his approach to the game against a top opponent in the MEAC.

“I knew Central was a good team and a top team in our conference,” Ruttley said. “I was just trying to be aggressive and get it going like I did last game so my teammates can feed off of it.”

Jorge Rosa stepped up to the table and ate well, as he hit four 3-pointers off of his teammate’s penetration into the teeth of the Eagles’ defense. He thinks his performance is a tribute to his preparation in practice, and moving without the ball to get a great look at the basket for his shot.

“Well it starts in practice, it starts with our coaches,” Rosa said. “We do things like whether to drive and pick, or you spot up and have a feel for each other.”

North Carolina Central led by as many as 30 points in the game. They would convert seven 3-pointers in the game with Rattlers hanging on their jersey. The style of play was physical, as the Eagles made if difficult for the Rattlers to cut through the lane and set screens.

The Rattlers look to chalk up the lost and move on to their next opponents. They will take on in-state rivals Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats (9-17, 5-6 MEAC) in Daytona on Saturday.