Florida A&M basketball is still searching for a rhythm.
On Thursday, Feb. 19, the Rattlers were swept in their women’s and men’s Southwestern Athletic Conference doubleheader versus the Alabama A&M Bulldogs at the Al Lawson Multipurpose Center on FAMU’s Tallahassee campus.
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FAMU women’s basketball (7-18, 6-8 in SWAC) lost 57-37 to the SWAC’s top team, Alabama A&M (17-9, 13-1 in SWAC), as it won its 13th straight game.
FAMU led 9-4 after the first quarter but was outscored 23-5 in the second quarter, falling behind significantly.
Florida A&M Rattlers forward Miya Giles-Jones handles the basketball during an NCAA Southwestern Athletic Conference game versus the Grambling State Tigers at the Al Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center in Tallahassee, Florida, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.
Altogether, the Rattlers shot 22 percent from the field and made just three out of 21 three-point attempts.
Guard Tahnyjia Purifoy led the Rattlers with 11 points as the lone double-digit scorer. Miya Giles-Jones chipped in 10 rebounds.
As for FAMU men’s basketball, the Rattlers (10-15, 7-7 in SWAC) lost a close one 63-61 to the Bulldogs (16-11, 9-5 in SWAC).
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Despite it being an even game scorewise, FAMU shot 40 percent from the field, while Alabama A&M shot 50 percent.
FAMU forward Tyler Shirley scored 23 points and made five of six three-point attempts. Antonio Baker had 10 points. Micah Octave contributed a near-double-double with eight points and 10 rebounds.
FAMU basketball will next host the Alabama State women’s and men’s basketball teams at the Snake Pit on Saturday, Feb. 21.
Tipoff times are set for 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. The games will be on SWAC TV.
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU basketball drops SWAC matchup vs Alabama A&M, Alabama State next
