FAMU basketball looks to get back on the winning side, hosts Alabama State in SWAC games
Florida A&M basketball returns to the Al Lawson Center on Saturday.
The Rattlers host the Alabama State Hornets for a Southwestern Athletic Conference doubleheader.
The women's game tips off at 2 p.m. The men’s contest follows at 4 p.m.
Fans can watch the FAMU-ASU games via Rattlers Plus.
FAMU basketball is coming off being on the receiving end of two consecutive sweepings at Jackson State and Alcorn State.
The Lady Rattlers (7-17, 6-7 SWAC) lost to the Alcorn State Braves 64-49 last Monday, dropping FAMU from fifth to sixth in SWAC standings as the league’s eight-team postseason tournament approaches.
Despite its recent losses, FAMU women’s basketball has already eclipsed its more wins than last season’s six with four regular season games to spare.
“We want to start a new streak,” Rattlers head coach Bridgette Gordon said of her team wanting to return to the win column on the FAMU Coaches show. “We’re not overlooking anyone.”
FAMU guard Ahriahna Grizzle continues to star as she leads the SWAC and is ranked 26th in NCAA Division I, averaging 19.4 points per game.
Rattlers men’s basketball has lost six consecutive games, which has tumbled them to the 11th spot in the SWAC standings.
FAMU forward Shannon Grant has been the offense’s focal point, leading the team in scoring in its last three games, averaging 14 points. Grant also averages 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in the Rattlers’ previous three contests.
“Shannon is great,” Rattlers assistant coach Willie Powers III said.
“He came into the season with a very bad foot injury. So, he was on minute restriction at the beginning of the season as he was still rehabbing. But he’s been very good at showing up and doing everything he can. He’s been a great leader for us.”
Notes on Alabama State Basketball
The last time FAMU and ASU played a SWAC doubleheader was on Feb. 5, when the teams split the series in Montgomery.
FAMU’s women won 49-40. The Rattlers men’s team lost 62-53.
ASU women’s basketball (3-21, 3-10 SWAC) is 11th in SWAC standings and has dropped five straight games, most recently to 67-59 Mississippi Valley last Monday.
Lady Hornets forward Cordasia Harris is sixth in the SWAC, averaging 12.7 points per game. She is second in the SWAC, hauling six rebounds per game, and fourth in the league by averaging 1.7 blocks.
ASU men’s basketball (12-14, 7-6 SWAC) is seventh in the SWAC after beating Mississippi Valley 61-46.
Hornets guard TJ Madlock is eight in SWAC scoring, averaging 15.3 points. ASU center Ubong Okon is fifth in the SWAC with 6.6 rebounds and second in the league as he averages 1.2 blocks.
How to Watch: Florida A&M vs. Alabama State SWAC Basketball Doubleheader
When: Saturday at 2 p.m. (women) and 4 p.m. (men)
Where: Al Lawson Center; Tallahassee, Florida
How to Watch: Rattlers Plus
Gerald Thomas, III covers Florida A&M University Athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Basketball: Rattlers host Alabama State Hornets in SWAC games
