Tallahassee, Fla. (Feb. 23, 2009) --- The Florida A&M women's basketball team had plenty to celebrate in the final game at venerable Gaither Gym as the Rattlers handed Delaware State its worst MEAC loss of the season, 58-33, Monday evening.

The Lady Hornets lost their second straight to fall to 14-13 overall and 10-4 in the MEAC. DSU has also dropped back-to-back conference games for the first time this season. Florida A&M, which never trailed in the contest, snapped a three-game losing streak to improve to 11-14 and 6-8.

Delaware State's point total was its lowest of the season, and fewest since a 78-30 loss to Kansas State in 2005.

The Lady Hornets shot a season-low 11.7% for the game, hitting just 7-of-60 shots from the floor. DSU was slightly better from three-point territory, connecting on 3-of-18 shots from beyond the arc (16.7%).

Florida A&M scored the first six points of the game, and opened up a 13-3 lead on a lay-up by Denise Tate with 15:31 left in the first half. After Delaware State pulled to within 13-7, the Rattlers answered with a 12-2 run to regain a double-digit lead. Melissa Daniels capped off the rally with a basket to give Florida A&M a 24-9 lead with 6:30 remaining in the half.  

Delaware State trailed 31-17 at the break.

The Lady Hornets were 4-for-26 from the field (15.4%), including 1-of-11 from three-point range in the first half. Florida A&M hit 14-of-30 first half shots (46.7%), including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes.

Any chance of a Delaware State comeback was squashed early in the second half.

The Rattlers scored the first six points of the second half, and opened up a 37-17 lead with 17:13 left to play. Tameka McKelton capped off a 6-0 run with a lay-up to give Florida A&M a 46-21 lead with 11:06 remaining.

The Rattlers led by 27 on two occasions in the second half, the final time after a lay-up by Stephanie Foster to make it 56-29 with 4:37 on the second half clock.

The Lady Hornets were outscored 27-16 in the second half.

Daniels led three Florida A&M players in double-figures with 14 points. Foster added 12 and McKelton 10 for the Rattlers.

Sonia Johnson was the only Delaware State player in double figures with 11 points.