TAMPA, Fla. (Dec.11) - The Florida A&M Rattlers (2-8, 0-1 MEAC) just couldn't muster up the field goals to contend with the University of South Florida Bulls (6-4), tonight in the Bob Martinez Athletic Complex on the campus of the University of Tampa, as they dropped an 83-59 decision.
Reggie Lewis again led the Rattlers in scoring. His 17 points on 7-for-15 shooting was one of only two players to score in double figures. Avery Moore, the only other Rattler to score in double-figures, chipped in 14 points, on 5-for-11 shooting. Moore scored four three-pointers, while Lewis added three.
Jeremy Dean was the king of the boards for the Rattlers as he grabbed eight rebounds. Yannick Crowder led all players in blocks with five rejections. He actually scored more blocks himself, than did the entire Bulls team who carded three total.
The anemic shooting percentage would do the Rattlers in as they scored 29 points in the first half and just another 30 in the second. Percentage-wise, they shot 39.3 percent from the field in the first half and 48 percent in the second half.
The Bulls were led by Toarlyn Fitzpatric, who blazed to 25 points. Shaun Noriega put up 12, Victor Rudd hit 11 and Anthony Collins rounded out the quartet of double-figures scorers with 10. Hugh Robertson was a beast on the boards with 21 rebounds, with nine of them being offensive.
What's next for the Rattlers: The Rattlers return to campus to complete final exams this week, then will travel to Akron, Ohio to face Akron University on Sat., Dec. 17 with a 4 p.m. tipoff.
