Rattlers Rally to Overcome Early Deficit
In a hard-fought home contest, the Florida A&M women’s basketball team outworked the Southeastern Fire on the boards and used a balanced scoring attack to pull away for a 71-65 victory Monday night. The win improves the Rattlers’ record to 1-10 on the season as they continue to grow chemistry under pressure, proving they can respond when the pace tightens late in the game.
Dominant Rebounding Sets the Tone
Rebounding was the defining statistic of the night. Florida A&M (FAMU) held a 48-34 edge on the boards, turning extra possessions into crucial baskets and second-chance opportunities. The advantage in rebounding helped the Rattlers control the tempo after halftime and deter several late-seeded runs by Southeastern.
Four Rattlers Hit Double Digits
Offensively, FAMU’s depth paid dividends. Four players reached double figures, keeping the scoring dispersed and making it difficult for the Fire to key in on a single scorer. Tahnyjia Purifoy led the charge with 15 points, demonstrating a reliable combination of scoring, decision-making, and aggression around the rim. The effort was complemented by balanced contributions from teammates who stepped up when the game demanded it.
Key Moments that Turned the Game
Midway through the third quarter, a stretch of aggressive rebounding and timely baskets by the Rattlers shifted momentum in their favor. With players crashing the boards on both ends, FAMU closed gaps in transition defense and converted opportunities into a reliable cushion. The home crowd played a role, firing up the defense with buoyant energy as the lead fluctuated but never again slipped far from reach.
Coaching and Team Strategy
The coaching staff emphasized ball security and interior attack, prioritizing second-chance points and limiting transition opportunities for Southeastern. The strategy paid off as Florida A&M converted a higher percentage of its offensive rebounds into points, while maintaining discipline on shot selection in crunch time.
What This Win Means Moving Forward
While the season record stands at 1-10, the victory provides a meaningful building block for Florida A&M. The win demonstrates resilience and the ability to execute a game plan against a competitive non-conference opponent. For a young squad still defining its identity, performances like this offer tangible proof of progress and a blueprint for tightening up before the next matchup.
Looking Ahead
The Rattlers will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming schedule, focusing on repeatable practices that reinforce the takeaways from this game—specifically, the value of rebounding, disciplined shot selection, and bench depth. Fans can expect the team to build on the late-game execution that helped secure the 71-65 win and push toward a more consistent performance as the season progresses.
