Rattlers Split with Bison in MEAC Cross-Gender Double Header

Ron Bailey, Publisher

MEAC Schools Do Battle in Gender Classes.

January 24, 2009 - Howard and Florida A&M, long time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rivals matched up along gender lines in hoops Saturday. Following is coverage.

Men's Game

FAMU 72 Howard 65

The Florida A&M Rattlers used a potent 2-2-1 full court defense backed by a 2-3 zone to stymie Howard in the second half, erasing a four point disadvantage and earning a hard fought 72-65 win at the Bison's Burr Gymnasium, Saturday.

FAMU's David Buchanon was instrumental during his school's second half comeback.

FAMU was led by Dale Hughes' 15 points, while Rasheem Jenkins provided 14. The Rattlers didn't enjoy their first lead until the 13:45 in regulation, via a Larry Jackson dunk; he provided 12 points and seven rebounds for the contest.

Howard's Calvin Thompson gets into the paint.

Howard saw four players notch double figure scoring numbers: Dadrian Collins had 14 points and five rebounds, Calvin Thompson produced 13 points and eight boards, while Mike Phillips chipped in 12 points/six caroms and Curtis White supplied 10 and five.

Though they stand 4-14 overall, Howard enjoys a 4-2 MEAC mark. FAMU is 4-14 and 2-4 in league play.

Exclusive post game audio:

Coach Gill Jackson of Howard University

Coach Eugene Harris of FAMU (a)

Coach Eugene Harris of FAMU (b)

Women's Game

Howard 69 FAMU 68 (OT)

Finding itself down one with 15 seconds in the extra session, Howard's Cheyenne Curley-Payne put her team ahead for good after a Rattler free throw. Curley-Payne then insured the win by creating a turnover. She scored 13 points and Kara Smith dropped 14, but Saadia Doyle led the Bison with 23 points and 12 caroms.

Saadia Doyle and Tameka McKelton (3) were the game's prime players.

FAMU's Tameka McKelton lead all scorers with 32 points; such was her performance Howard threw a box and one defense for the game's final two-plus minutes and overtime period. Antonia Bennett and Qiana Donald provided 11 points and 12 points/14 boards, respectively. It was McKelton who missed a charity stripe attempt with 16 seconds in regulation, knotting the score at 59.

Cheyenne Curley-Payne runs the clock out.

The Rattlers are now 10-6 overall and .500 in the MEAC (3-3), while Howard stands 8-9, 4-2.