RATTLERS REBOUND, DEFEAT AGGIES

Florida A&M out-rebounded N.C. A&T 57-30

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., January 22, 2005 – Florida A&M needed to rebound from the loss of starting guard Glenn Elliott , an ankle injury to forward Michael Ayodele and even after halftime of the Rattlers game with N.C. A&T on Saturday, point guard Tony Tate became ill.

So rebound is just what the Rattlers did in a 93-86 win over the Aggies at Gaither Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.

The Rattlers out-rebounded the Aggies 57-30, marking the most rebounds a team has grabbed against the Aggies, and the largest rebounding disparity of the season. The Rattlers 26 offensive boards – another season-high versus the Aggies – led to 21 second-chance points.

“We made them do what we wanted them do,'' said N.C. A&T coach Jerry Eaves. “They took quick shots, they weren't fluid in their offense sets, but what simply didn't rebound the basketball. We're going to put it all together sometime soon.”

Freshman Jon Mason was 8-for-14 from the floor, 4-for-7 from 3-point range and finished with 20 points. Mason led five other Rattlers in double figures, including Tate, who finished with 14 points and nine assists. Tate had to switch jerseys at halftime because he threw up on his regular No. 11 jersey. Darius Glover added 13 points and 11 boards for the 4-10 Rattlers, who improved to 3-4 in the MEAC.

The Aggies (3-14, 2-3) were led by Steven Koger's 23 points on 5-for-9 shooting from 3-point range. Sean Booker finished with 12 points and five boards before fouling out of his sixth game of the season.

The Aggies and the Rattlers put on an excellent display of shooting, which saw both teams shoot 57 percent from the floor. The Aggies were hurt, however, by 15 first-half turnovers that helped the Rattlers build a 53-43 lead with 1:07 remaining in the first half.

But two Jeff Alvis jump shots in the last minute of the first half pulled the Aggies to within six at the half. The Aggies would struggle to get any closer the rest of the night as the Rattlers took advantage 23 made free throws on 41 attempts.

A Sean Booker layup with 17:05 remaining in the game pulled the Aggies to within four points, 59-55. Florida A&M would have the answer, scoring the next eight points over a three-minute span to build a 12-point lead.

“They did what you're supposed to do when a team traps – they attacked our press,'' Eaves said. “Again, I think if we rebound tonight, there is a different result.”