The win streak for FAMU men’s basketball continues as the Rattlers took down Alcorn State 85-76 on Monday in the Al Lawson Center.
The energy in the building matched the team’s confidence and FAMU wasted no time setting the tone early.
The Rattlers came out firing, storming to a 10-0 lead behind strong play from senior forward Shaqir O’Neal and guard Milton Matthews. O’Neal established his presence early on, finishing the half with 12 points, four rebounds, and a block, while Matthews made his impact felt with 13 points.
Despite the early surge, Alcorn State weathered the storm and fought their way back into the game.
Capitalizing on defensive lapses and a shift in momentum, the Braves clawed their way back into contention, trimming FAMU’s lead as halftime approached. Still, the Rattlers managed to hold on to their advantage, heading into the break with a 42-34 lead.
After taking a 42-34 lead into halftime, the Rattlers locked in defensively and used the three-ball to create separation in the second half. FAMU’s defensive intensity disrupted Alcorn State’s rhythm, forcing them into tough, contested shots. Meanwhile, the Rattlers’ offense continued to flow, with five players scoring in double figures.
Milton Matthews led the charge with a stellar 23-point performance, knocking down key shots to keep FAMU in control. Shaqir O’Neal anchored the paint, finishing with a double-double—12 points and 10 rebounds—while also making his presence felt defensively.
When asked about how FAMU’s system allows for such balanced scoring, head coach Patrick Crarey II emphasized his team’s ability to read the game and take what the defense gives them.g down key shots to keep FAMU ahead.
“We were just reading the situation,” Crarey said. “We saw a lot of different things—shadow, tap, grenade. I talk about the NBA in Europe every time I come here. People want to bash me about threes and everything else. Those threes allow you to have space to get downhill and make layups because they don’t want to help off of this. I’m not helping off this guy. It makes you a difficult guard. Our guys are able to read situations. They’re able to read any type of defense that we’re going up against.”
Now, FAMU turns its attention to a crucial road matchup against Alabama State on Saturday, Feb. 22nd.
The Rattlers will look to avenge their heartbreaking one-point loss to the Hornets earlier this month as they continue their push up the SWAC standings. The Hornets are currently fourth in the SWAC standings after a 79-56 win over Mississippi Valley State on Monday.