
Photo Credit: Jadon Grant
The Florida A&M Rattlers continued showcasing their home-court dominance with an 83-53 win over Mississippi Valley State in SWAC action. The victory improves the Rattlers to 5-11 overall and 2-3 in conference play, while the Delta Devils remain winless in SWAC competition, dropping to 2-17 on the season (0-6 SWAC).
FAMU is now an impressive 5-1 at home this season, a mark head coach Crarey believes is critical to building a strong program. “If you want to be a good team, you have to win at home,” Crarey said after the game. “I like what we’re doing at home right now and how we’re competing.”
The Rattlers set the tone early with a relentless defensive effort, holding Mississippi Valley State to just 15 first-half points on 23% shooting. FAMU’s disruptive defense forced 21 turnovers, including nine steals and seven blocked shots, effectively stifling the Delta Devils’ offensive flow. Those defensive stops fueled the Rattlers’ transition offense, converting turnovers into 20 fast-break points.
“Our defensive intensity in the first half gave us an edge,” said Crarey. “We battled and did a great job setting the tone early.”
Offensively, the Rattlers were led by Milton Matthews, who poured in a game-high 23 points. Matthews shot an efficient 8-of-15 from the field, including a stellar 6-of-11 from three-point range. He was supported by a balanced scoring attack, with three other Rattlers reaching double figures. This offensive depth allowed FAMU to maintain control throughout the game and extend their lead in the second half.
The win was a much-needed boost for a Rattlers team seeking to climb the SWAC standings. Their strong play at home has been a key factor in their recent success.
Matthews spoke on the team’s resiliency and how they’ve bounced back from their slow start in conference play.
“We just gotta see it through, we gotta put the work in to be better,” said, Matthews. “We’re all not pleased with our record right now so we just stay humble and work”.
With their defense firing on all cylinders and their offense clicking, the Rattlers are showing signs of progress. The Rattlers’ performance against Mississippi Valley State was a testament to their growth and commitment to playing as a team. As they prepare for their upcoming road trip, FAMU looks poised to make noise in the SWAC.
The Rattlers’ success at home is proving to be a foundation for their season, and with continued improvement, they’ll look to turn that momentum into road wins and further growth in conference play.
Looking ahead, the Rattlers will face a tough test as they head out on the road for a two-game swing. After playing two games in 48 hours the Rattlers will get some much-needed rest before heading on the road. They’ll take on Alcorn State on Saturday, followed by a matchup with Jackson State on Monday. FAMU will look to carry their home momentum into these critical road games as they aim to improve their standing in conference play.