TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – North Carolina Central University got off to a slow start in the first half against Florida A&M University, and the Rattlers were able to capitalize on the way to a 59-50 final score inside the Al Lawson Center on Monday, Feb. 8.
 
After shooting over 50 percent from the arc in its first two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference games, NCCU (4-4, 2-1 MEAC) didn't have the same success from the perimeter with just two connections, both coming in the second half.  FAMU (3-8, 2-2 MEAC), conversely, knocked down six three-pointers in the contest, and built up a 10-point lead at the half, 28-18.
 
The Eagles outscored the Rattlers in the second half, and both teams shot over 50 percent from the field in the second 20 minutes, but NCCU ran out of time to overcome the deficit.
 
Jahnathan Maxwell (Virginia Beach, Va.) returned to the lineup and provided a spark in the second half with eight of his 10 points coming after the intermission, and he also added five rebounds.  C.J. Keyser (Baltimore, Md.) posted a team-high 13 points with eight boards.
 
Jai Clark (Orlando, Fla.) supplied a game-high 16 points for FAMU, and knocked down four three-pointers.  MJ Randolph (Pensacola, Fla.) also pushed the Rattlers from the backcourt with seven points and nine rebounds, and DJ Jones (Baton Rouge, La.) contributed 12 points with five rebounds.
 
The Eagles and Rattlers will meet again tomorrow, Feb. 9 at 6:00 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.