TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Alcorn State men's basketball battled for 40 minutes but came up short on the road, falling 66–58 to Florida A&M Friday night at the Al Lawson Center. The contest featured multiple lead changes and a competitive opening half before the Rattlers used a late surge to secure the win.
The Braves set the tone early, attacking the paint and playing with pace on both ends of the floor. Alcorn shot an impressive 56 percent from the field in the first half and carried a slim 30–29 advantage into the locker room. Strong defensive pressure led to turnovers and transition opportunities, allowing the Braves to control long stretches of the opening period despite the hostile road environment.
Tycen McDaniels delivered a strong all-around performance to lead Alcorn, finishing with a team-high 20 points and nine rebounds while knocking down 6-of-8 free throws. His activity around the rim and ability to draw contact kept the Braves within reach throughout the night. Jameel Morris added 14 points and four assists, consistently creating scoring opportunities off the dribble, while Davian Williams chipped in 11 points and multiple steals, providing a spark on both ends of the floor.
Florida A&M responded in the second half by increasing its defensive intensity and capitalizing on second-chance points. The Rattlers outscored Alcorn 37–28 after the break, using timely three-point shooting and strong bench play to build separation in the final eight minutes. Despite the Braves holding their own in the paint and at the free-throw line, missed perimeter shots and key rebounds swung momentum late.
Alcorn finished the night shooting 43 percent from the field and forced 19 Florida A&M turnovers, but the Rattlers' efficiency down the stretch proved decisive. The Braves showed resilience and competitiveness throughout, continuing to lay the foundation for growth as conference play moves forward.
Alcorn State now returns to The Reservation for a home matchup against Southern on Saturday, Jan. 31, as the Braves look to defend the Davey L. Whitney Complex and carry lessons learned from the road into their next SWAC contest.
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