Head coach LeDawn Gibson and the Florida A&M Lady Rattlers put an exclamation point on their season as they reached the 20-win plateau for the first time in over a decade. The Lady Rattlers (20-7, 13-2 MEAC) defeated the Norfolk State Spartans (10-16, 5-10 MEAC), 81-64, tonight at the Alfred Lawson Center.

The Lady Rattlers took no time to get on the board as senior Tameka McKelton took a pass of the opening tip and promptly scored a three-pointer. McKelton would end the day with 15 points for FAMU. Antonia Bennett led the Lady Rattlers with 21 points and eight rebounds.

Jasmine Grice would also score 21 points on the night, shooting a scorching 7-of-13 from the field, including 5-of-7 from the three-point arch. Kimberly Sparkman would hit four three-pointers in the process of scoring 16 points.

The Lady Rattlers actually trailed 32-29 at the half, primarily due to sloppy play in the first half. Gibson said, "At halftime, I just told them that it was up to them how we finished this game and this season. This game was no time to relax, but an opportunity to regain focus going into the tournament," Gibson said.

In the second half, her team responded. The Lady Rattlers blossomed with 52 points in the second half, virtually expelling their will on the Spartans, who were led in scoring by Rae Corbo with 12 points. Whitney Long and Rachel Gordon each added 11 points for NSU.

The Rattlers took advantage of Spartan turnovers and converted them to 21 points. FAMU's bench also outscored the Spartans 29-17. The score was tied 10 times and the lead changed 12 times.

The Lady Rattlers look to close out the regular and home seasons on a winning note on Thursday in a matchup against the Morgan State Lady Bears. Tipoff is 5:30 p.m. and the night is deemed Church Night, sponsored by Heaven 1410-AM. For ticket information, please call the FAMU ticket office at (850)599-3141.

TALLAHASSEE, FL (Feb.27)-