ATLANTA — Jackson State’s men’s basketball season concluded Wednesday night with a 70-60 loss to Florida A&M in the SWAC quarterfinals at the Gateway Center Arena.
The Tigers were without Daeshun Ruffin and lost Jalen Tatum early in the game, limiting their offensive options. Jayme Mitchell Jr. led Jackson State with 19 points, including four three-pointers. Devin Ree added 11 points and seven rebounds, while Dorian McMillian scored 11 off the bench. Delyle Williams finished with 10 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
The game was tightly contested in the first half, with Florida A&M taking a 33-30 lead with just over 12 seconds remaining. Williams drove to the basket, drew a foul, and made one free throw, cutting the deficit. An inbounds deflection allowed Mitchell to hit a buzzer-beating three from the top of the key, giving Jackson State a 34-33 lead at halftime.
Both teams exchanged leads in the second half until Florida A&M took control with 8:51 remaining and held on to secure the win. The Rattlers finished shooting 39.3% from the floor and 27.3% beyond the arc, while making 84.2% from the free throw line. Antonio Baker scored 14 points to lead four Florida A&M players in double figures.
Jackson State shot 33.9% overall and 32.0% on three-pointers. The Tigers struggled at the free-throw line, converting just 60.9%. Their shooting percentages in the first and second halves were similar, with the second-half shooting improving slightly to 43.3% from the floor.
Jackson State’s season ends with a record of 17-14, as the Tigers look ahead to future campaigns. For more coverage, follow Jackson State athletics on social media or visit their official website.
