[dropcap]A[/dropcap]t the buzzer!
Florida A&M found a way to win it at home 96-95 Monday night. The Rattlers fought off a strong Delaware State team who surged in the closing minutes to force double overtime.
FAMU (7-15, 3-6) was heading in the wrong direction as of late, dropping three in a row as they entered into the game against Delaware State (4-19, 2-7). They were facing last place in the conference if they dropped this one against the Hornets.
In FAMU’s last game, the team struggled to get anything going early, digging the Rattlers a hole too deep to climb out of.
Prior to tip off, forward Malcom Bernard, the team leader, was listed as questionable, displaying flu-like symptoms. He was seen warming up with the team before tipoff, but it was still uncertain if he was in shape to play after battling sickness all day.
Not to bring up the MJ flu game but Malcolm Bernard not only started in the game, but he had one of the best performances in his college career.
“When your teammates and coaches are counting on you to play, you play. I know for a fact that I have to give it up every night,” Malcolm Bernard said. “My coaches kept telling me pain is temporary. Mentally, when you tell yourself you’re going to play, you have to go out there and play.”
The game kicked off with a Justin Ravenal three to put FAMU on the board first. Bernard then came up with a steal, dishing it to guard Treavann Warren who was fouled. Warren made one of two, putting FAMU up 4-0.
The Rattlers held a 10-5 lead with 13:01 remaining in the first half.
Delaware State surged back following a media timeout, going on a 7-0 run to knot things back up at 12 with 10:01 left in the half.
The Hornets had the halftime lead 26-25 after getting two offensive rebounds and proceeding to hit a deep three from the top of the key. This was of many shots made with just seconds left of the clock.
FAMU head coach Byron Samuels made some defensive changes at the break to soften the defense, not playing as aggressive in the half court. This in turn took away that backdoor layup that Delaware State managed to find in the first half.
The changes worked well as FAMU opened the second half on a 14-2 run, which was keyed off Ravenal and Bernard’s four steals and timely shooting. Florida A&M had a 62-51 lead with 5:21 remaining in the game.
The Hornets were able to climb back, making it a 69-65 game with 1:10 left. Delaware State took a 30 second timeout, and then rim got bigger for both teams.
DSU and FAMU would trade five buckets in the next 50 seconds.
Malcolm Bernard stormed down the court and hit a step back jumper to tie it up at 72 with 3.2 seconds remaining. Teammates ran over to Bernard to celebrate, forgetting about the clock. A quick inbound and a deep pass to Hornets forward Mrdjan Gasevic, who hit what could have been a game winning layup, but the shot was waved off to force overtime.
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Overtime was just as action packed, with neither team able to pull away from one another. Craig Bowmen had the ball with 12.4 seconds remaining, holding for the last shot. He lost control of the ball, getting tagged for a backcourt violation, giving the Hornets a shot to win it all again.
Aric Dickerson had a good look in the corner with his bench to his back to win it, but his three fell short to force double overtime tied at 84.
Double overtime kicked off with a K’ja Johnson jumper assisted by Bernard to take a 86-84 lead. Still, Delaware State refused to let up, as Aric Dickerson had another opportunity, nailing the three this time. This put the Hornets up 95-94 with just 10 seconds remaining.
However, Malcolm Bernard refused to be denied the game. With a pass off the inbound, he was off crossing up a defender at half court and hitting the layup with a defender in his face, bringing the score to 96-95 for a FAMU win.
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Bernard finished the game going 12-15 from the field with 14 rebounds, 27 points, six assist, and five steals, capping off his unforgettable game.
“Delaware State deserves a lot of credit. I’m just thankful. It was an ugly one, but we won’t ever take a win for granted,” head coach Byron Samuels said.
Moving on from this double overtime thriller, FAMU will have the next few days off. They head to North Carolina to take on NC AT&T University on Saturday at 4 P.M.
