[VIDEO] Coach Moton Reacts to Home Loss vs FAMU

Head Coach Levelle Moton reacts to a tough loss after the North Carolina Central University men’s basketball team grabbed control of the contest early against Florida A&M, but a cold spell in the second half proved to be the difference as the Rattlers came away with a 65-58 win on Thursday, March 4 inside McDougald-McLendon Arena.

NCCU (4-8, 2-5 MEAC) had an explosive start to the game as the Eagles won the tip and Nicolas Fennell immediately stuffed in two points on a jam in the opening seconds. Within the first two minutes, the Eagles forced FAMU (8-10, 7-4 MEAC) into a turnover and held a 7-0 lead.

The Rattlers fought back to hold the lead briefly, but a rapid-fire 7-0 run – all coming from the hands of Alex Caldwell – put the Eagles ahead, 28-17, and they rode that wave to a 35-25 lead at the intermission.

FAMU turned the tables on the Eagles in the second half as the Rattlers catapulted ahead with help from a 12-0 run over five minutes of play to take the lead at 50-46 with less than 10 minutes to play, and the visitors held the lead from there. The Rattlers shot 52.0 percent in the second half and held off a late charge by the Eagles to take a 65-58 decision.

Caldwell finished with a joint team-high 11 points, along with C.J. Keyser who scored 11 points with a team-high six rebounds.

FAMU was led by Bryce Moragne who had a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds, and M.J. Randolph scored a joint game-high 13 points with nine boards. Kamron Reaves also contributed 13 points, and D.J. Jones had a game-best 11 rebounds with eight points.

Coach Moton and his NCCU squad will meet FAMU again for the season finale on Thursday, March 4 at 7:00 p.m. inside McDougald-McLendon Arena, and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.