Boxscore

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Dadrian Collins scored a team-high 14 points to lead four players in double figures, but it was not enough to offset the second half play of Dale Hughes, who came off the bench to score a game-high 15 points and Rasheem Jenkins and Larry Jackson added 14 and 12, respectively  as Florida A&M (4-14 overall, 2-4 in the MEAC) pulled away to a 72-65 win over Howard in a MEAC men's game at Burr Gymnasium.

The trio combined to score 18 of the Rattlers second half points during a 25-12 run that erased a four-point deficit and give FAMU its biggest lead at 57-48 with a little over seven minutes left on the clock.  Hughes and Jenkins did most of their damage from behind the arc as they combined for six three pointers.  Black was especially effective in the paint as he converted on five of his six shots.

"They (FAMU) played with a lot more intensity than we did," said Howard Coach Gil Jackson.  "They played like they had nothing to lose.  We lost focus and acted like all we had to do was show up to win.  You have to give them all the credit because they played with intensity."

Howard (5-15 overall, 4-2 in the MEAC) was coming off a three straight wins, including two on the road.  The Bison came out and opened an 11-point lead before FAMU closed the deficit to 36-32 at the half.

The tempo of the change changed in the second half as the Rattlers full-court zone press rattled the Bison and their 2-3 half-court zone proved to be effective.  Howard made only 2 of 14 from three-point range in the second half and only 6 of 24 for the game.

"They used the zone to control the tempo," said Coach Jackson.  "We had good looks but we just could not knock them down."

Collins led the Bison with 14, Calvin Thompson added 13 and Mike Phillips and Curtis tallied 12 and 10, respectively.

FAMU held an advantage in points-in-the-paint (34-26), in points-off-turnovers (15-8) and in fast break points (12-2).  The Rattlers' bench outscored their Howard counterparts, 28-13.

"We have another important game this Monday against Bethune-Cookman," said Coach Jackson.  "We just have to rebound and come out strong."

NEXT UP:  The Rattlers travel to Hampton, VA to take on the Pirates of Hampton University at 8 pm while the Bison will host the Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman University on Monday at 8 pm.