Guard Tahnyjia Purifoy against Texas Southern Defense (Jordan Fitzpatrick/FAMU Athletics)
The Florida A&M University women’s basketball team continued strong with their second-straight conference win over Texas Southern, 86-73, on Saturday.
The Rattlers are finding their rhythm after back-to-back wins. The team’s ability to capitalize and score helped secure the win, even as Texas Southern attempted to rally in the second half.
Saturday’s victory was fueled by standout performances from senior guards Shaniyah McCarthy and Tahnyjia Purifoy. Freshman Cornelia Ellington’s offensive and defensive pressure kept the Panthers at bay.
FAMU started the game strong, leading 17-12 after the first quarter. Senior guard Shaniyah McCarthy led the Rattlers with 11 points in the first half. While Senior guard Tahnyjia Purifoy added nine points, helping the team enter halftime with a 38-27 lead.
The Rattlers let up defensively in the third quarter, as they missed rebounds and allowed the Panthers to score on second-chance opportunities and in transitions. FAMU, however was able to maintain control and entered the fourth quarter 57-50. Purifoy knocked down a key three-pointer in the second half to help FAMU regain momentum and extend the lead.
The Rattlers have carried momentum into consecutive wins coming off an 80–61 win over Prairie View A&M on Thursday.
Thursday’s game highlighted junior forward Miya Giles-Jones, who recorded a double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds. McCarthy had 18 points and six rebounds, while Purifoy scored 16 points and also recorded six rebounds.
McCarthy says she credits the team’s preparation for the turnaround after the previous two losses.
“Honestly, our mindset, practice, the way we start practice from stretching to walking to gym to however we get there is in the way we finish it,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy and Purifoy led the team with 19 points each while Ellington added 14. The Rattlers still struggled with rebounding despite the strong offensive performance.
Purifoy suffered an injury late into the fourth quarter and was take out for evaluation. Gordon says her status is still being determined.
Gordon says understanding her players and preparation explained the difference in Saturday’s game.
“The difference was, they do it,” Gordon said. “I’m still the same coach. And I tell my staff that, in order to be a great coach, and we’re saying the same thing, and it’s not resonating, then it’s up to us to change the way we explain it.”
Gordon says that she always puts her player’s growth first despite pushing them hard.
“I’m gonna be tough on them,” Gordon said. “Out of love, but also tough to tell them knowing that they can do it and to just go out and be the better version of themselves.”
With another road trip approaching, McCarthy says the team is focused and responding to previous losses.
“This win for us, is just a win, but then again, we’re ready for the next road trip,” McCarthy said. “They came in our house, they beat us. They shouldn’t have won. So we’re ready to go back to Mississippi and work.”
The Rattlers will travel to Lorman, Mississippi, to face Alcorn State on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. FAMU fell 61-48 during their last matchup on Jan. 24. The Braves are 9-1 in SWAC play and currently sit in second place behind Alabama A&M University.