Florida A&M defeats Jacksonville 72-65

FAMU Edges Out Jacksonville in Thrilling 72-65 Win

The Al Lawson Center was electric on Thursday night as Florida A&M University (FAMU) hosted Jacksonville University in a non-conference matchup. In the end, the Rattlers' home crowd proved too much for the visiting Dolphins, as FAMU secured a hard-fought 7-point victory, 72-65.

At the midpoint of the game, it seemed like FAMU was on track to cruise to an easy win. The home team led 47-33 at halftime, thanks in large part to a strong performance from Antonio Baker Jr., who poured in 17 points on 71.4% shooting. Meanwhile, Jacksonville struggled to find its rhythm, managing just 32 points in the first half.

However, the Dolphins made significant adjustments in the second half, cutting the deficit to 18 points with just over five minutes remaining. Jaylen Jones led the charge for Jacksonville, scoring 17 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Despite his impressive all-around performance, however, it wasn't enough to overcome FAMU's stifling defense.

The Rattlers' bench played a crucial role in sealing the win, outscoring their opponents 12-8 down the stretch. Tyler Shirley also contributed significantly, adding six rebounds and 15 points off the bench.

In the end, Florida A&M's balanced attack proved too much for Jacksonville to handle. The Rattlers' strong team defense held the Dolphins to just 72 total points, while FAMU's offense managed to score at a clip of 53.9% eFG%. For their part, Jacksonville struggled from beyond the arc, making just 43% of its 3-point attempts.

As the final buzzer sounded, the Al Lawson Center erupted in cheers, as FAMU celebrated its hard-fought win over a quality opponent. The victory marked a significant test for the Rattlers, who improved to 5-2 on the season. Meanwhile, Jacksonville fell to 4-3, but showed significant promise in its performance.

For FAMU head coach, Coach, it was a statement game that showcased his team's resilience and determination. "We knew this would be a tough matchup, but our guys rose to the challenge," he said. "I'm proud of the way they played, especially on defense."

The win sets up a promising stretch for FAMU as it heads into conference play. With this impressive victory under their belt, the Rattlers will look to build momentum heading into the new year.

GAME LEADERS:

* Antonio Baker Jr. - 17 pts, 71.4% FG

* Tyler Shirley - 6 reb, 15 pts, 1 ast

* Antonio Baker Jr. - 3 ast, 17 pts, 1 reb, 3 stl

* Jaylen Jones - 17 pts, 2-5 3PT, 41.7% FG

* Jaylen Jones - 7 reb, 17 pts, 3 ast, 1 stl

* Jaylen Jones - 3 ast, 17 pts, 7 reb, 1 stl