Searching for their first SWAC victory of the season, the Florida A&M Rattlers took on the Grambling State Tigers.
The Rattlers fell to the Tigers, 65-52.
“We just have to come out and fight, we’re fighting adversity right now. Everybody has to buy in because we are all playing sluggish right now.” Said impact freshmen K’Jei Parker following the tough loss.
In a game where FAMU was not favored to win, standing at +2.5 betting according to ESPN, the Rattlers looked like a team who was composed and under control. Although they were in the game and fighting there seemed to be a lid on the basket as the Rattlers finished the first half shooting 8 for 22 from the field and 1 for 7 from the three-point line.
The game was completely different for the opposing Tigers. They shot an efficient 47.4 percent from the field and 57.1 percent from the three-point line. With the rebounding and turnover numbers strangely similar for the two programs, an area where the Rattlers outmatched the Tigers was at the free throw line, shooting it at a higher efficiency.
Energy was a big factor in the loss to the Tigers, Parker had this to say about his role in making sure the team is urgent on the court.
“I have to be more talkative, and a better communicator. I have to instill in the guys that basically nobody in the SWAC is better than us,” Parker said.
The sense of urgency started to pick for the Rattlers as they struggled to defend the three-point line as well as struggle to shoot from their own three-point line. The combination of the two allowed the Tigers to jump out to a sizable lead. The game quickly turned into a track meet that the Rattlers could not keep up with.
Following the loss Parker concluded his statement by saying, “We are here, but mentally we just have to lock in.”
This loss was certainly a tough one however if the Rattlers and Parker continue to adopt the “we here” mentality, they will eventually find success.
The Rattlers were led in scoring by Jalen Speer, followed by Parker. The backcourt duo were the only Rattlers to hit from distance, connecting on a total of five threes combined.
The Rattlers will continue to search for their first conference win of the season in their next game against Arkansas Pine Bluff.