COLUMBIA, S.C. (FAMU Athletics) — Freshman guard, Jalen Speer, put on a show on Saturday afternoon, scoring a career-high 21 points, as Florida A&M (1-6, 0-0 MEAC) fell to South Carolina (2-2, 0-0 SEC) 78-71 at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C.
Speer went 7-of-12 from the field and added three rebounds, two assists and two steals. The freshman from Gainesville, Fla. also went 3-of-5 from three-point range.
Three other Rattlers scored in double-figures.
Kamron Reaves scored 11 points with three assists and two rebounds. MJ Randolph finished with 10 points four rebounds, three assists and two steals. DJ Jones contributed 10 points with three rebounds.
South Carolina was paced by Junior guard, AJ Lawson, who contributed 25 points on 9-of-16 shooting to go along with five rebounds, two steals and one block.
Justin Minaya notched a double-double for the Gamecocks, scoring 10 points with 10 rebounds, two assists and one block.
For the game, FAMU connected on 45.6 percent of its field goal attempts (26-of-57) while South Carolina 41.4 percent from the field (29-of-70).
The difference in the game came down to second-chance points and offensive rebounds. South Carolina snagged 14 offensive rebounds and scored 14 second-chance points, compared to just five second-chance points and six offensive rebounds for the Rattlers.
How It Happened
Kamron Reaves had the hot hand early, scoring seven of the FAMU's first 11 points of the contest, opening up an 11-6 lead with 16:50 left in the first half.
With South Carolina up 13-12 with 14:56 left in the opening period, Jalen Speer put the Rattlers back on top with the three-pointer, sparking an 8-0 run that gave the Rattlers a 20-13 advantage with 13:56 left to go in the half.
FAMU held the lead until the 7:43 mark when Trae Hannibal splashed a three-pointer to tie the contest up at 28.
The Rattlers trailed the Gamecocks 38-35 at halftime.
In the second half, South Carolina built a quick 44-39 lead, but the Rattlers rallied back to tie the game at 44 on a Johnny Brown three-pointer with 15:45 left to play.
With FAMU trailing South Carolina 59-53, 11:01 left in the second period, Speer went decided to take matters into his own hands. Speer went on a one-man 8-0 run, putting the Rattlers back on top, 61-59, with 9:24 left in the contest.
However, the Gamecocks took to the lead for good with 4:16 left, on a Jermaine Couisnard layup to give South Carolina a 71-69 advantage.
Inside the Numbers
Inside the Numbers
> FAMU shot 45.6 percent from the field (26-of-57)
> South Carolina shot 41.4 percent from the field (29-of-70)
> FAMU shot 29.6 percent from three-point range (8-of-27)
> South Carolina shot 40.9 percent from three-point range (9-of-22)
> FAMU went 13-of-19 on free throw attempts (68.4 percent)
> South Carolina went 12-of-20 on free throw attempts (60 percent)
> South Carolina out-rebounded FAMU 43-36.
> South Carolina grabbed 14 offensive rebounds compared to FAMU's six offensive board
> South Carolina scored 14 second-chance points compared to FAMU's five second -chance points
> FAMU committed 18 turnovers while forcing 11 Gamecock turnovers.
> FAMU and South Carolina both scored 11 points off turnovers.
> South Carolina outscored FAMU 40-26 on points in the paint.
> FAMU and South Carolina's benches scored 15 points.
Up Next
Florida A&M squares off against defending MEAC champion North Carolina Central at the Al Lawson Center in Tallahassee on Jan. 9 and 10. This will be the home and conference opener for the Rattlers. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
