TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Interstat) — Florida A&M outscored Grambling by 13 points in the second half to secure a 91-84 men’s basketball victory Monday night at the Alfred Lawson, Jr. Multipurpose Center. The Rattlers, who led 39-36 at halftime, improved to 5-9 overall. The Tigers fell to 8-9. Attendance was 901. Jaquan Sanders led Florida A&M. Derrius Ward paced Grambling. The total score far exceeded the over/under line of 142.5. Grambling visits Southern on Saturday. Florida A&M plays at Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Interstat) — In a high-octane, back-and-forth affair that defied pregame expectations, the Florida A&M Rattlers outlasted the Grambling Tigers 91-84 in a Southwestern Athletic Conference men’s basketball clash Monday night at the Alfred Lawson, Jr. Multipurpose Center. The game, played before an intimate crowd of 901, was a stark departure from the defensive struggle anticipated by oddsmakers. The combined 175 points sailed well over the projected total, fueled by explosive individual performances and relentless offensive execution, particularly from the home team in the decisive final minutes. Grambling, entering with an 8-8 record, showcased its offensive firepower early and often. The Tigers, led by the dynamic duo of Derrius Ward and Jamil Muttilib, kept pace with the Rattlers throughout a tightly contested first half. Ward, a 6-foot-6 guard from Philadelphia, was a catalyst with 21 points and five assists, while Muttilib, a 6-6 forward from Houston, poured in a team-high 22 points. Florida A&M, however, countered with an even more potent one-two punch. Jaquan Sanders, a 6-4 guard from Far Rockaway, New York, delivered a game-high 24 points, orchestrating the Rattlers’ attack with precision. He was complemented by Micah Octave, a 6-5 guard from Boca Raton, Florida, who added 20 points. Their consistent scoring, combined with key contributions from Tyler Shirley (14 points) and Kaleb Washington (18 points), provided the foundation for the victory. The most critical phase of the contest unfolded in the game’s final three minutes. With Grambling clinging to a narrow margin, Florida A&M unleashed a decisive 9-2 run to seize control. The sequence was emblematic of the entire second half, where the Rattlers’ offensive efficiency proved overwhelming. After scoring 39 points in the opening period, Florida A&M erupted for 52 after halftime, shooting a blistering percentage from the field that Grambling could not match despite its own 48-point second-half output. The Rattlers’ ability to answer every Grambling push was the defining characteristic of the night. Whenever the Tigers, who fell to 8-9 overall and in SWAC play, would string together a couple of baskets, Sanders, Octave, or Washington would respond with a critical bucket to stem the momentum. Grambling’s defense, which had been serviceable in the first half, had no answer for Florida A&M’s multifaceted assault down the stretch. The game’s frantic conclusion saw both teams trading baskets and free throws, but Florida A&M’s composure at the line sealed the outcome. The Rattlers, who improved to 5-9 overall and evened their conference record, made crucial free throws in the final minute to extend the lead and secure the seven-point victory. Statistically, the game was a tale of efficient offense trumping resilient effort. While Grambling’s Ward and Muttilib logged heavy minutes and produced significant numbers, Florida A&M’s balanced attack and superior shooting performance across the board were the ultimate difference-makers. The Rattlers’ bench, notably through the efforts of Washington and Shirley, provided a vital boost that helped withstand Grambling’s persistent challenges. The result represents a significant bounce-back for Florida A&M, which had struggled in non-conference play but now finds momentum in the SWAC schedule. For Grambling, the loss halts the modest momentum gained from a win over Texas Southern earlier in the month and sends the Tigers into a critical stretch of conference games seeking more consistent defensive results. Both teams continue SWAC play on Saturday. Florida A&M hits the road to face Arkansas-Pine Bluff, while Grambling returns home to host Southern.

Preview: Grambling Looks to Rebound Against Florida A&M in SWAC Matchup TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Interstat) — The Grambling Tigers will look to snap a brief skid when they visit the Florida A&M Rattlers in a Southwestern Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Monday night at the Alfred Lawson, Jr. Multipurpose Center. Grambling (8-8) enters after a 74-65 road loss to Bethune-Cookman on Saturday, which halted a three-game winning streak. Prior to that, the Tigers had found momentum with conference wins over Prairie View and Texas Southern, and an 84-67 victory over the latter on Jan. 5 showcased their potential. A key player for the Tigers is guard Roderick Coffee, who is coming off a 21-point performance in 28 minutes against Texas Southern. Over his last six games, Coffee has been a consistent contributor, including a 10-point, five-assist effort in a win over Norfolk State and a six-assist game at Hampton. Florida A&M (3-9) seeks its first win since mid-December, having dropped its last four contests. The Rattlers fell 87-83 at Bethune-Cookman on Jan. 3 in their most recent outing. In that game, Micah Octave nearly posted a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds, while Jaquan Sanders led all scorers with 22 points. The Rattlers’ season has been defined by a challenging non-conference schedule featuring road games against power conference opponents like Georgia, UCF and Georgia Tech. They will aim to leverage that experience as SWAC play intensifies. Historically, this series has been closely contested, adding another layer to the early conference showdown. Grambling will aim to improve its .500 record and avoid a second straight conference loss, while Florida A&M desperately seeks a victory to build confidence. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. EST tipoff on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. Following this contest, Grambling returns home to host Southern on Jan. 17. Florida A&M hits the road for a two-game trip, starting at Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Jan. 17.