Box Score TALLAHASSEE, Fla.- Savannah State could not hold on to a second half lead as Florida A&M mounted a 12-2 run in a 54-51 win over the Tigers in the Lawson Center.
 
A free throw by Whitley Carter gave SSU a 43-38 edge with 7:37 left in the contest. The crowd of 1,804 saw the Rattlers' Jamie Adams answer with a 3-pointer which started a 9-0 run to put FAMU ahead 47-43 with 2:13 on the clock.
 
After a jumper by Khiry White to cut the Tigers deficit to 47-45, Reggie Lewis buried a 3-pointer for FAMU to give the Rattlers a 50-45 advantage with 1:07 remaining.
 
Two free throws apiece by Keierre Richards and Terel Hall got Savannah State within 50-49 with 36 seconds left but Lewis sank two free throws for FAMU to give the Rattlers a three point cushion.
 
A dunk by Jyles Smith made the score 52-51 and gave the Tigers some hope with 26 seconds on the clock but free throws by Willie Conner and D'Andre Bullard put FAMU ahead 54-51 with seven seconds left.
 
Florida A&M (8-14, 4-5) scored the first five points of the game but the Tigers battled back to take a 15-7 lead with 10:34 left.
 
That lead lasted until the 1:08 mark when Lewis nailed a 3-pointer to give the Rattlers a 25-23 lead.
 
Deven Williams answered with a jumper for Savannah State with 41 seconds left and the teams went into the half knotted at 25.
 
Savannah State opened the second period with six straight points to build a 31-25 lead.
 
Florida A&M rallied to take a 32-31 lead with 14:21 remaining but the teams battled until the Tigers got what they thought was a little breathing room with a 43-38 lead with under eight minutes left.
 
Hall came off the bench to spark Savannah State (8-15, 6-3) with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists. Smith added 12 rebounds, 10 points, 8 blocks and 4 steals.
 
As a team, the Tigers shot 30.4 percent from the floor and were out-rebounded 54 to 39.
 
FAMU was led by Adams' 17 points. The Rattlers shot 29.2 percent from the field.