Tallahassee, Fla. (Feb. 17, 2014) --- Florida A&M outscored Delaware State 9-4 in the final 1:48 of the game in a 68-63 win over the Hornets in a MEAC contest at the Lawson Center this evening.
The loss snapped a three-game win streak for DSU, which fell to 7-18 overall and 3-9 in the MEAC. The Rattlers improved to 10-16 and 6-7.
After trailing by as many as 11 in the second half, the Hornets fought back to tie the game at 59-59 on three free throws by Tyshawn Bell with 1:59 left.
On the ensuing Florida A&M possession, Jomari Bradshaw scored on a driving lay-up to give the Rattlers a 61-59 lead with 1:48 remaining.
Following a Delaware State missed shot , Florida A&M's Jamie Adams converted as old-fashioned three-point play to give the Rattlers a 64-59 lead with 1:11 remaining.
Florida A&M hit four free throws in the last 20 seconds to seal the win.
The loss overshadowed a career performance by Hornet freshman DeAndre Haywood, who led all players with 20 points. Haywood was seven-of-12 from the field and six-for-nine at the free throw line. He has set career scoring highs in each of the last three games.
Kendall Gray posted his second straight double-double for the Hornets, tallying 16 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. He also led all players with three blocks. Gray leads the Hornets with eight double-doubles this season.
Bell added 13 points for DSU.
Adams was high scorer for Florida A&M with 19 points.
Delaware State hit just nine-of-28 first half shots (32.1%), and was behind 30-24 at the break.
The Rattlers used a 6-0 second half run to open up their biggest lead. Two free throws by Willie Conner gave Florida A&M a 48-37 lead with 12:43 left to play.
The Hornets trailed 52-41 before starting their comeback.
Delaware State outscored the Rattlers 13-2 during a seven-minute second half span, and tied the game at 54-54 on two free throws by Haywood with 3:41 remaining.
Gray scored five points, while Haywood and Casey Walker tallied three each during the run.
Florida A&M missed each of its six shots from the floor and committed two turnovers during the Delaware State rally.
The game was also tied at 56 and 59 before the Rattlers pulled away.
After shooting better than 60 percent in the previous two games, Delaware State fell to 40% from the floor in the contest (22-of-55). The Hornets were three-of-15 from three-point territory (20%); and hurt themselves by missing 12-of-28 free throws (57.1%).
Florida A&M was 26-for-55 from the floor (47.3%), three-of-14 from beyond the arc (21.4%); and 13-for-18 at the line (72.2%).
The Rattlers won the rebound battle 37-33, while the Hornets had four fewer turnovers (9-to-13).
The Hornets begin their final homestand of the season on Saturday (Feb. 22) against Maryland-Eastern Shore. Game time is 4:00 p.m. in Memorial Hall. DSU will host Morgan State next Monday (Feb. 24 @ 7:30 p.m.) and play its home finale against Howard on Mar. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
