Original Publish Date: Jan. 8, 2025
Article Link: https://www.thefamuanonline.com/2025/01/08/womens-win-streak-continues-in-swac-opener/
The Florida A&M women’s basketball team extended its win streak with a 62-54 victory over Bethune-Cookman in their SWAC opener on Saturday. The win marks the Rattlers’ first four-game streak in more than a decade, with all four victories decided by two or more possessions.
FAMU began the season 0-8 but has since turned things around, earning home wins against North Florida and Trinity College and a road win over Samford before defeating Bethune-Cookman.
Second-year head coach Bridgette Gordon credited the team’s tough non-conference schedule for preparing them for Saturday’s game. She also highlighted the depth of her bench.
“We played a lot of players,” Gordon said. “What happened is the preparation from practice. They were ready to go into the game when their name was called.”
Guard Cheyenne McEvans, part of the team’s core four alongside guards Sabou Gueye and D’Mya Griffin and forward Sydney Hendrix, led the Rattlers’ offense during the streak. Against Bethune-Cookman, McEvans scored a game-high 23 points, adding five rebounds, six assists, and four steals.
“If you didn’t know, y’all finding out about her,” Gordon said about McEvans. “She’s going to compete hard. She’s going to lay it all out on the floor, and she’s going to give you everything she’s got. And she starts it, but then the rest of the team follows right behind.”
Despite the win, turnovers were an issue for both teams. FAMU and Bethune-Cookman combined for 70 turnovers, leading to more than 20 points for each side. The NCAA record for combined turnovers in a game is 77.
“It’s just been our Achilles’ heel,” Gordon said. “It was something that was here before I got here. So I’m just going to get that curse out of this locker room, out of our team. We’re just going to continue to work and get better.”
The Rattlers started the game with a commanding 17-2 lead late in the first quarter. That early gap proved crucial as Bethune-Cookman matched FAMU offensively in the later quarters. McEvans emphasized the importance of strong starts in their SWAC campaign, especially with a game against preseason favorite Grambling State on Thursday.
“We know that that’s our identity,” McEvans said. “When we come out there, we’re looking to do that every game, to every team, no matter how good they are playing.”
The Rattlers will travel to Grambling, Louisiana, for Thursday’s matchup. The Tigers are 1-1 in the SWAC after a loss to Texas Southern and a win over Prairie View A&M.