TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The historic B-CU-FAMU rivalry adds another chapter this week as Bethune-Cookman Hoops opens up Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play in the state capitol Saturday, Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. from the Al Lawson Center. 

The game will be streamed live on Rattlers+ ($). Fans can listen to the game live for free on YouTube.com/CatEyeNetwork
 


Saturday, January 4 | 6 p.m. EST
Opponent: Florida A&M (3-8)
Time: 6 p.m. EST
Location: Tallahassee, Fla. | Al Lawson Center
Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/florida-am-rattlers-womens-basketball-vs-tallahassee-florida-01-04-2025/event/2200618C9ADA2166
Watch: https://famuathletics.com/watch
Live Stats: https://famuathletics.com/sidearmstats/mbball/summary
Listen: https://www.youtube.com/cateyenetwork



 The Wildcats had no trouble putting the ball in the basket, but the nation's No. 17 team proved a bit too much as Mississippi State prevailed, 87-73, Tuesday night at Humphrey Coliseum.

FIRST HALF

Josh Hubbard's three ball at the 16-minute mark gave Mississippi State (12-1) early momentum, kick-starting a 9-0 run that took an 11-9 game to 20-9 in favor of the Bulldogs in the early goings. 

Mississippi State's Riley Kugel hit another three just before the under-12 media to give the Bulldogs their largest lead fo the first half at 27-14.

Bethune-Cookman (3-10) played tough, rattling off the next 12 straight points to cut the deficit to just one at 27-26, highlighted by seven points from Trey Thomas and a Seneca Willoughby three-pointer.

The Bulldogs responded with a run of their own, scoring nine straight, while B-CU answered the bell again scoring the next nine to keep to within 38-35 with four to play in the half. 

A free-throw laden end to the first half saw Mississippi State head into the break leading 52-45.


SECOND HALF

A quick and-one out of the break by Reggie Ward Jr. made it a four-point game at 52-48 before the gap rose to 10 again on a Michael Nwoko dunk that made it 60-50 through the first four minutes in the second half. 

An acrobatic steal and score by Brayon Freeman made it 65-57 with 12 to play. 

From there, Mississippi State's lead began to grow, reaching as high as 79-61 on a Bulldog steal and a pair of free throws. 

B-CU did not quit, as David Onanina and Ward Jr. drained back-to-back jumpers to bring the lead back down to 12, but the Cats could come no closer as Mississippi State prevailed, 87-73.




Under first-year head coach Patrick Crarey II, FAMU is just 3-8 on the year after a 6-23 (4-14 SWAC) finish a year ago. A tough non-conference slate saw the Rattlers take losses at TCU, SMU, Maryland, Florida, Clemson, Utah, and BYU, while earning wins at home against Trinity Baptist, Trinity College, and Presbyterian. 

The Rattlers have won just one game against B-CU since each joined the SWAC, and is 3-7 in their last 10 against the Wildcats.

FAMU ranks seventh in the SWAC in scoring at 71.4 points per game, and eighth defensively, allowing 83 points per game to opponents. The Rattlers shoot a middle-of-the-pack 42 percent from the floor as a team, and a third-best 34% from three. 

Senior guard Sterling Young leads the Rattlers in scoring - his 12.5 points per game is the only double-digit mark for FAMU in the category. He has done so off the bench, starting just two games on the year. 

The Rattlers have struggled on the boards, having been out-rebounded by an average of six boards per game on the year. Senior forward Tyler Shirley leads the Rattlers in the category, averaging just over four boards per game. 




Saturday marks the 175th meeting all-time between FAMU and B-CU on the hardwood. The Rattlers hold a 99-75 advantage in the series, but B-CU has won four straight and seven of the last ten. 


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