CLEMSON, S.C. – The Florida A&M Rattlers faced a tough challenge on the road as they took on the Clemson Tigers in a men’s basketball matchup at Littlejohn Coliseum. Despite a promising first half, the Rattlers ultimately fell to the Tigers with a final score of 86-58.
Florida A&M, now holding a record of 1-5, started the game strong, showcasing their competitive spirit early on. At the 6:40 mark of the first half, the Rattlers managed to secure their largest lead of the game, going up by five points. Roderick Coffee III emerged as a key player off the bench, contributing 13 points, including three successful three-pointers. Milton Matthews also played a significant role, finishing the game with 14 points on 5-of-13 shooting, which included four three-pointers.
At halftime, the Rattlers trailed by a narrow margin of 38-32, leaving fans hopeful for a potential comeback. However, the second half proved to be a different story as Clemson ramped up their intensity, outscoring Florida A&M 48-26 in the final 20 minutes of play. The Tigers displayed their dominance, particularly in the paint, where they outscored the Rattlers 38-20.
Despite their struggles, Florida A&M managed to match Clemson’s shooting from beyond the arc, hitting 11 three-pointers at a 42% success rate. However, their overall shooting percentage was lower than desired, finishing at 42% (23-of-55). The Rattlers also faced challenges at the free-throw line, converting only one out of six attempts, which highlighted their inconsistency on offense.
In addition to their shooting woes, Florida A&M committed 16 turnovers throughout the game, allowing Clemson to capitalize and score 15 points off those mistakes. The Tigers also dominated in transition, outscoring the Rattlers 11-0 in fast break points, which further widened the gap on the scoreboard.
Jordan Chatman provided some late-game highlights for Florida A&M, finishing with 11 points on an efficient 4-of-6 shooting, including three three-pointers. However, his efforts were not enough to change the outcome of the game.
As the Rattlers reflect on this tough loss, they will look to build on the positives from their first-half performance. The team is set to return home for their next game against Presbyterian College on Tuesday, December 3, at 7 p.m. Eastern. Florida A&M aims to bounce back and find their rhythm as they continue their non-conference schedule.
Fans are encouraged to support the Rattlers as they strive for improvement and seek their second victory of the season. With talented players like Matthews, Coffee, and Chatman leading the charge, there is optimism for what lies ahead in the upcoming games.
