Box Score SAVANNAH, Ga.-  Savannah State head coach Horace Boadnax went to his bench early and often as the Tigers won their fifth game in a row following a 79-68 victory over Florida A&M.
 
A season-high crowd of 3,650 in Tiger Arena saw a trip of reserves combine for 50 points, 12 rebounds, 12 assists and four steals.
 
Leading the way was senior guard Deven Williams who had a game-high 20 points in 17 minutes of action. Senior Joshua Montgomery added 17 points and eight rebounds while junior college transfer Terel Hall contributed 13 points and nine assists.
 
The win gives SSU a 7-12 overall record and puts them atop the MEAC with a 5-0 mark.
 
In the first half, the game was knotted at eight until the Rattlers scored six straight points to go ahead 14-8 with 12:28 on the clock.
 
A jumper by SSU's Patrick Hendley tied the game at 20 and back to back layups from Montgomery and Hall gave the Tigers a 24-20 edge with 6:59 remaining.
 
A 3-pointer by FAMU's Jomari Bradshaw got FAMU within 29-27 but a 3-pointer by Khiry White started a 12-0 run by the Tigers that extended their lead to 41-27 with 2:41 remaining in the period.
 
Savannah State led 45-33 at the break.
 
Florida A&M came out strong to start the second half as they chipped away at SSU's lead and a trio of free throws by Jamie Adams tied the game at 51 with 12:18 left.
 
A 3-pointer by Montgomery gave SSU a little breathing room but FAMU stayed within reach with good free throw shooting.
 
The Rattler were within six with 4:12 left but a pair of free throws by Hall and a layup by Montgomery put SSU ahead 72-62.
 
At the 2:50 mark, FAMU answered with a jumper from Reggie Lewis to pull  within 72-64 but could get no closer as the Tigers responded with seven straight points to grab their largest lead of the night with 1:32 remaining.
 
The Tigers shot 80 percent from the free throw line and 44.3 percent from the field in the win.
 
Jyles Smith had 11 rebounds to go with his six points and three blocks while White chipped in nine points.
 
FAMU (7-12, 2-3) had four players in double figures but made 24 turnovers.
 
Trey Kellum had 18 points and eight rebounds for the Rattlers.