image via FAMU Athletics/Jordan Fitzpatrick
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany State | 20 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 67 |
| Florida A&M | 13 | 12 | 22 | 27 | 74 |
Florida A&M saved its best basketball for the fourth quarter.
The Rattlers erased a 19-point deficit and delivered a furious second-half comeback to defeat Albany State 74-67 in their 2026-27 home opener Thursday at the Al Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center.
FAMU trailed by as many as 19 points in the second quarter and entered halftime facing a 38-25 deficit. Albany State controlled the opening half, building its advantage behind strong shooting and a productive performance from Saraih Johnson.
But the Rattlers found their rhythm after the break.
Florida A&M outscored Albany State 22-16 in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 54-47 entering the final period. The momentum carried into the fourth, where FAMU erupted for 27 points while holding the Golden Rams to just 13.
The comeback was particularly impressive considering Albany State still held a 63-62 advantage with 1:59 remaining.
FAMU responded when it mattered most, closing out the game with a decisive finish. Kamryn Grant delivered the final basket, converting a layup with five seconds remaining to put the finishing touches on the 74-67 victory.
Three Rattlers Lead the Offensive Attack
Persais Williams and Niah Rhodes led Florida A&M with 16 points apiece, while Grant finished with 15 points.
Williams also contributed five rebounds, while Rhodes added four rebounds and two assists. Grant stuffed the stat sheet with six rebounds, two assists, two steals and a blocked shot.
Miya Giles-Jones recorded nine points and a team-high 11 rebounds, giving the Rattlers an important presence on the glass.
Shaniyah McCarthy led FAMU with four assists.
Rebounding Made the Difference
Florida A&M’s dominance on the boards played a major role in the comeback.
The Rattlers finished with a 50-34 rebounding advantage, including 24 offensive rebounds. Those extra possessions helped FAMU generate 25 second-chance points compared to 14 for Albany State.
FAMU also recorded 10 assists, seven fast-break points and 15 points off turnovers.
Albany State was led by Johnson, who recorded 16 points and 14 rebounds. Chloe Evans Evans added 13 points, while Taliah Grier contributed eight.
A Fourth-Quarter Statement
The final numbers highlight just how dramatically the game changed.
After shooting just 7.7% from the field in the second quarter, FAMU found its offensive rhythm and connected on 73.3% of its shots in the fourth, making 11 of 15 attempts.
Albany State, meanwhile, managed just three field goals on 14 attempts in the final period.
The Rattlers turned a difficult first half into a memorable home-opening victory, demonstrating the resilience needed to overcome a substantial deficit.
For FAMU, the 74-67 win was more than a home-opener victory. It was a reminder that the game isn’t over until the final buzzer.
