The Florida A&M women’s basketball team nearly pulled off a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback but came up just short in a 55-52 loss to Grambling State on Saturday. A slow start and costly turnovers ultimately sealed the Lady Rattlers’ fate, marking their second-straight defeat as they continue to fight for a spot in the SWAC Tournament.
FAMU struggled to find its rhythm against Grambling’s aggressive full-court press from the opening tip. They committed 20 turnovers that disrupted any offensive flow. The Lady Rattlers managed just 20 points in the first half, falling behind early in a game where every possession mattered.
“We just gotta learn to play a full 40-minute game,” head coach Bridgette Gordon said. “We started fast, but then we had to battle back at the end.”
Despite the rough start, FAMU showed heart in the final stretch.
Down by double digits in the second half, the Lady Rattlers tightened up defensively and chipped away at Grambling’s lead. With under a minute to play, they had a chance to tie or take the lead but couldn’t convert on crucial possessions.
Adding to the frustration, Gordon pointed out that officiating played a role in the game’s outcome.
“I’m not one to complain, but we just have to close out games better,” Gordon said. “Officials have come up to me after the last two games and admitted they got calls wrong. But at the end of the day, those calls don’t get us the win back.”
With two games remaining in the regular season, the Rattlers remain in the thick of the SWAC Tournament race. Gordon knows her team has to capitalize on the upcoming opportunities.
“We’re still in the fight,” Gordon said. “Every win matters. We’re battling teams like Mississippi Valley and Alcorn for positioning, and we’ve got to take care of business.”
One of the positives in the loss was FAMU’s defensive effort. Even when their offense wasn’t clicking, the Lady Rattlers made things difficult for Grambling’s scorers.
“I feel really good about this team because a loss isn’t really a loss if you learn from it,” Gordon said. “Seeing my players so emotional afterward, I know they care. They know they can compete with anybody.”
Foul trouble and injuries forced FAMU to adjust on the fly, with younger players stepping into bigger roles. Gordon praised their effort and resilience.
“When a veteran gets in foul trouble or someone goes down, it’s about who steps up,” Gordon said. “I played three post players, and they battled. That’s the kind of mentality we need going into the tournament.”
With seven days before their next game, the Rattlers have time to reset and prepare for the final push of the regular season. Gordon remains optimistic about what’s ahead.
“If they get it right, we can make a run,” Gordon said. “At the end of the day, it comes down to players making plays. We’ll put them in position, but they have to execute.”
The Rattlers’ final regular season game will be against rival Bethune Cookman in Daytona Beach on Saturday, March 8 at 3 p.m.