Florida A&M pulled off a stunning upset at the Al Lawson Center, taking down Grambling State 91-84 in a non-conference matchup. The Rattlers, ranked 315 in the net rankings, were not expected to come out on top against the Tigers, who sit at 272. However, behind a strong performance from Jaquan Sanders, Florida A&M was able to outlast Grambling State and secure a crucial victory.
The game got off to a tight start, with Florida A&M holding a slim 39-36 lead at halftime. However, in the second half, the Rattlers' offense exploded, scoring 52 points to Grambling State's 48. Sanders was the catalyst for the Rattlers' attack, pouring in 24 points to lead all scorers. He was joined by Micah Octave, who added 20 points and 8 rebounds, and Kaleb Washington, who chipped in with 18 points.
Grambling State's Jamil Muttilib did his best to keep the Tigers in the game, scoring 22 points to lead his team. Derrius Ward also had a strong outing, finishing with 21 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. However, it was not enough to overcome the Rattlers' balanced attack.
The significance of this upset cannot be overstated. Florida A&M's win over Grambling State is a major boost to their resume, particularly given that it was a Quadrant 4 game for both teams. The Rattlers' ability to come out on top in a game they were not expected to win will undoubtedly give them a confidence boost as they move forward.
Without a pre-game prediction to reference, it's clear that Florida A&M exceeded expectations with their performance. The Rattlers' 91-point outburst was a reflection of their offensive prowess, and their ability to hold off Grambling State's late surge was a sign of their growing maturity as a team.
As the season wears on, Florida A&M want to build on this momentum. With the win, they improve to 8-10 on the year, while Grambling State falls to the same record. While the Rattlers still have a long way to go in terms of their tournament chances, this upset victory is a major step in the right direction. The fact that it was a Quadrant 4 game for both teams means that the win may not carry as much weight as a victory over a higher-ranked opponent, but it is still a significant result for Florida A&M. As the Rattlers continue to navigate their schedule, they want to use this win as a springboard to bigger and better things.