WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 4) – The Florida A&M Men's Basketball team turned in their finest floor shooting performance of the season here Wednesday night as they outpaced preseason MEAC favorite Howard University, for a 78-66 win in venerable Burr Gymnasium.

Wednesday's win ended a 10-game losing skid for visiting FAMU (3-11, 1-0 MEAC), which put on a torrid first half shooting performance, cashing in on eight of 11 three-pointers (72.7 %), and 51.7 percent (15 of 29) from the floor, to storm to a 40-28 halftime advantage.

The Rattlers and the Bison battled to a 38-38 stalemate in the second half, but the FAMU, whose lead dwindled to 65-59 with 4:28 left, closed out the home team with a spirited 13-7 surge.

FAMU finished the night 10 of 19 from downtown, with the backcourt trio of Marcus Barham (5 of 6), Justin Ravenel (3 of 4) and Elijah Mays (2 of 5) to go 10 of 15 from beyond the arc.

Barham finished with 21 points to lead FAMU, followed by Derrick Dandridge with a double double, 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Ravenel and Mays scored 13 points apiece.

Howard University (3-12, 0-1 MEAC) was led by MEAC Preseason Player of the Year James Daniel with a game-hgih 24 points. James Miller added 18 points and Charles Williams chipped in 12 points for the Bison.

WHAT'S NEXT: The road weary Rattlers will play four of their next five games at home beginning Saturday as they host Coppin State at 6:00 p.m. in The Al Lawson Center.