Jackson State edges Florida A&M 66-65 in Tallahassee thriller
Jackson, Miss. — Jackson State edged Florida A&M 66-65 in a Southwestern Athletic Conference game Monday night at the Lawson Center. Daeshun Ruffin scored 30 points with six assists, while Jayme Mitchell Jr. added 20 points and nine rebounds, according to team sources.
Ruffin has scored in double figures 17 times this season, including four games with 30 or more points. He has scored in double figures in 11 consecutive games and 13 of the last 14. Mitchell has also contributed significantly, scoring in double digits 14 times, including five times in conference play.
The Tigers trailed by as many as 10 points before rallying late. Back-to-back three-pointers from Tamarion Hoover and Mitchell trimmed Florida A&M’s lead to 49-48 with 11:45 remaining. Mitchell then gave Jackson State a 50-49 lead with a layup, and Ruffin extended it to 52-49 with 10:29 to go.
The game stayed close down the stretch. Kaleb Washington tied the game at 54 with a three-point play. Florida A&M regained the lead with under eight minutes remaining, but Jackson State responded. Mitchell hit a three from the right corner with 1:11 left to give the Tigers a 66-65 lead, which they held onto in the final seconds.
Jackson State shot 42.3% from the floor in the second half and 36.8% beyond the arc. They made 71.4% of free throws. Florida A&M shot 40.7% from the field in the second half and 28.6% from three-point range, making 52.9% of their free throws. Washington led the Rattlers with 17 points.
In the first half, Jackson State shot 46.2% from the floor and 33.3% from three, trailing 41-32 at halftime. Florida A&M shot 51.7% overall and 53.3% from beyond the arc in the first half. The teams were nearly even on rebounding, with Florida A&M holding a slight 16-14 edge at intermission.
Jackson State will return home Saturday to face Grambling State at 3 p.m., as part of the Coaches vs. Cancer campaign. The team’s social media handles include @GoJSUTigers on Instagram and Twitter, and Jackson State Tigers on Facebook.
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