ATLANTA — Bethune-Cookman suffered a narrow 55-52 defeat to Florida A&M Tuesday morning in the Southwestern Athletic Conference women's basketball tournament at Gateway Center Arena. The Rattlers held off a late push from B-CU in a tightly contested game that featured 13 ties and six lead changes to end the Wildcats' season in the second round

 

1st Quarter
Florida A&M took an early lead in a defensive opening period. Both teams struggled to find a rhythm offensively, combining to shoot under 25% in the quarter.

The Rattlers managed a slight edge behind baskets from Shaniyah McCarthy and Miya Giles-Jones to take a 10-8 lead after the first 10 minutes.

The Wildcats made two three-pointers but also turned the ball over seven times.

2nd Quarter
The teams traded baskets throughout the second period, with neither side able to create separation. Bethune-Cookman briefly pulled even behind interior play from Sanai Tyler, while Florida A&M answered to maintain the slight edge.

The quarter ended even at 13-13, sending the Rattlers into halftime with a narrow 23-21 advantage.

B-CU dominated the glass in the first half, winning the battle 28-19

3rd Quarter
Offense picked up after the break as both teams found success attacking the paint. Tyler continued to provide a spark for Bethune-Cookman, while Giles-Jones and McCarthy paced the Rattlers on the other end.

Both teams shot over 45% from the field and went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. The Wildcats continued to dominate the boards, grabbing three offensive rebounds in the frame.

Each team scored 18 points in the period, leaving Florida A&M still clinging to a 41-39 lead heading into the fourth.

4th Quarter
Florida A&M maintained its slim lead in the final period, using timely free throws to keep Bethune-Cookman at bay.

Both teams struggled from the floor, once again shooting under 30%.

The Wildcats stayed within a possession late, giving Janessa Kelley a chance to tie the game with seven seconds to go, but her three pointer rimmed out.  The Rattlers held on down the stretch to secure the three-point victory.

• Sanai Tyler paced the Wildcats with 14 points and 12 rebounds (nine offensive).
• Maya Johnson finished with 14 rebounds to lead the team.
• Miya Giles-Jones and Shaniyah McCarthy led the Rattlers with 13 points.
• Bethune-Cookman dominated the glass, out-rebounding FAMU 54-35 and picking up 24 offensive rebounds.
• The Wildcats finished with 31 bench points, compared to just six for Florida A&M.
• The Rattlers shot 16-of-20 (80%) from the free-throw line.

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