Hornets Rattled by Florida A&M

The Delaware State Hornets dropped their 5th straight game 81-68 after a loss to the
Florida A&M Rattlers Saturday.
After starting hot in MEAC conference play, the Hornets have struggled as of late
bringing them to a 2-5 record in the MEAC and 5-17 overall.
The Hornets got off to a great start in the first half behind Dana Raysor's 12 points and
ended the first with a 32-26 lead headed into the break, despite shooting just over 36%
from the field.
Delaware State continued it's hot start right out of the break after a Kavon Waller jumper
had the Hornets in great positioning putting them up by 8. DeAndre Haywood later hit a
key three-pointer with 13:04 remaining to further add to the lead.
Florida A&M then proceeded to rattle off a 7-0 run and battled back to give them their
first lead of the game 46-45 thanks to a Marcus Barham three-pointer with 12:04 left in
the second.
From there it was all Rattlers.
Florida A&M scored 15 of the next 16 points and firmly took control of the game. A
Derrick Dandridge lay-up with 4:40 left to play put the Rattlers up by 13. The Rattlers
were up by as many as 15 points in this game.
Delaware State was outscored 55-36 in the second half and struggled from the field
shooting 11 for 31 and 4 for 18 from the three-point line. Three Hornets finished in
double figures including a game high 23 points from Raysor, who hit a career-best six
three-pointers.
A much different story for the Rattlers as they were dominate in the second half shooting
14 for 28 from the field and a scorching 24-25 from the free-throw line. Five Rattlers
finished in double figures with 17 points coming from both junior forward Derrick
Dandridge and 6th leading scorer in the MEAC Desmond Williams.
Florida A&M snapped a three game losing streak and got their third conference win of
the season bringing them to a 3-4 record in conference and 5-17 overall.
A bright side for the Hornets was they were able to have sophomore forward DeVaughn
Mallory back after missing seven games with a calf injury. Mallory was the team's leader
in rebounds at 6.8 per game before the injury.
These teams will see each other again February 2 for a conference battle in Tallahassee.

Delaware State will be back on the hardwood Monday as they will welcome in a red-hot
North Carolina Central, winners of five straight, to Memorial Hall. Game time is set for
7:30 p.m.