Florida A&M Rattlers Edge Bethune-Cookman Wildcats 81-77
Thursday, March 5, 2026, 7:30 PM ET · Al Lawson Center
Florida A&M Rattlers 81, Bethune-Cookman Wildcats 77, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Bethune-Cookman Wildcats vs Florida A&M Rattlers?
Florida A&M Rattlers beat Bethune-Cookman Wildcats 81-77 at Al Lawson Center on March 5, 2026.
Who was favored in Bethune-Cookman Wildcats vs Florida A&M Rattlers?
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -142 (about 59% implied). The underdog won.
In a thrilling matchup at the Al Lawson Center, the Florida A&M Rattlers secured a narrow victory over the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, finishing the game with a score of 81-77. This win marks a significant moment for the Rattlers, as they had previously lost all three of their recent meetings against the Wildcats, including a close 83-87 defeat earlier this season on January 3, 2026. The Rattlers' performance not only showcased their resilience but also highlighted their ability to perform under pressure, especially after a recent three-game winning streak.
The Rattlers entered this game with a record of 14-15, having gone 5-5 in their last ten games. They had been averaging 71.9 points scored per game while allowing 72.3 points. Their recent form showed promise, particularly in their last five games, where they boasted a record of 4-1 and averaged 74.2 points scored while allowing only 66.8 points. At home, Florida A&M had a record of 2-2 in their last ten games, indicating a mixed performance but a recent uptick in form.
On the other side, the Wildcats came into this contest with a record of 17-14, enjoying a strong run of form with an 8-2 record in their last ten games. They had been scoring an impressive 77.6 points per game while allowing 70.6 points. Their recent success included a four-game winning streak, and they had averaged 82.2 points in their last five games. However, they struggled away from home, with a record of 4-2 in their last ten away games.
The matchup was closely contested throughout, with both teams exchanging leads multiple times. Key moments included a tip-in layup by Micah Octave that brought the Wildcats to a 75-74 lead, followed by a critical three-point jumper from Jaquan Sanders that pushed the Rattlers ahead 77-75. Free throws played a significant role in the final minutes, with Kaleb Washington sealing the game for Florida A&M with two successful free throws that brought the score to 81-77.
In terms of injuries, the block did not specify any players missing from either side, indicating that both teams were likely at full strength for this crucial game. The betting market had priced the game with the Wildcats as 2.5-point favorites according to DraftKings, suggesting a competitive matchup was anticipated.
Conditions at the Al Lawson Center were favorable for basketball, contributing to an exciting atmosphere for the players and fans alike. The Rattlers' home court advantage was evident as they managed to secure a much-needed win, improving their morale as they head into the final stretch of the season.
Overall, this game was a testament to the competitive nature of the NCAAB landscape, with Florida A&M demonstrating their ability to rise to the occasion against a formidable opponent. The Rattlers' victory not only broke their losing streak against the Wildcats but also solidified their standing as a team capable of challenging for wins in high-pressure situations.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | BCU -2.5 | 145.5 o -112 / u -108 | Bethune-Cookman Wildcats -142 · Florida A&M Rattlers +120 |
Leaders
- PointsJaquan Sanders18Florida A&M Rattlers
- AssistsJaquan Sanders2Florida A&M Rattlers
- ReboundsMicah Octave11Florida A&M Rattlers
- PointsJakobi Heady19Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
- AssistsArterio Morris4Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
- ReboundsAriel Bland10Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
Recent form
Florida A&M Rattlers
Last 10: 5-5Streak W371.9 scored · 72.3 allowed per game2-2 at home
- W66-59at Grambling TigersFeb 28
- W82-71at Southern JaguarsFeb 27
- W76-63vs Alabama State HornetsFeb 21
- L61-63vs Alabama A&M BulldogsFeb 20
- W86-78at Alcorn State BravesFeb 17
- L60-80at Jackson State TigersFeb 14
- W100-96vs Prairie View A&M PanthersFeb 10
- L57-62vs Texas Southern TigersFeb 7
- L66-79at Alabama State HornetsFeb 3
- L65-72at Alabama A&M BulldogsJan 31
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
Last 10: 8-2Streak W477.6 scored · 70.6 allowed per game4-2 away
- W82-79at Southern JaguarsFeb 28
- W76-71at Grambling TigersFeb 26
- W85-76vs Alabama A&M BulldogsFeb 21
- W82-71vs Alabama State HornetsFeb 20
- L86-91at Jackson State TigersFeb 17
- L55-57at Alcorn State BravesFeb 14
- W79-69vs Texas Southern TigersFeb 10
- W82-76vs Prairie View A&M PanthersFeb 7
- W80-62at Alabama A&M BulldogsFeb 3
- W69-54at Alabama State HornetsJan 31
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethune-Cookman | 17-15 | - | 14-4 |
| Southern | 17-17 | 3 | 11-7 |
| Florida A&M | 15-16 | 3 | 11-7 |
| Alabama A&M | 18-15 | 4 | 10-8 |
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 13-19 | 4 | 10-8 |
| Texas Southern | 12-18 | 4 | 10-8 |
| Jackson State | 12-21 | 4 | 10-8 |
| Prairie View A&M | 19-18 | 5 | 9-9 |
| Grambling | 14-19 | 7 | 7-11 |
| Alabama State | 10-22 | 7 | 7-11 |
| Alcorn State | 9-23 | 7 | 7-11 |
| Mississippi Valley State | 3-30 | 12 | 2-16 |
Box score
| Stat | Bethune-Cookman Wildcats | Florida A&M Rattlers |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 25-50 | 26-63 |
| Field goal % | 50 | 41 |
| Three-pointers | 2-8 | 6-20 |
| Three-point % | 25 | 30 |
| Free throws | 25-33 | 23-27 |
| Free throw % | 76 | 85 |
| Rebounds | 29 | 38 |
| Offensive rebounds | 7 | 16 |
| Defensive rebounds | 22 | 22 |
| Assists | 8 | 6 |
| Steals | 7 | 13 |
| Blocks | 1 | 0 |
| Turnovers | 16 | 9 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 13 | 18 |
| Fast-break points | 21 | 10 |
| Points in the paint | 42 | 40 |
| Fouls | 22 | 21 |
| Largest lead | 8 | 5 |
| Lead changes | 17 | 17 |
| Time in front | 40 | 50 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half48-50Jaquan Sanders makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half49-50Quentin Heady makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half49-52Antonio Baker Jr. makes layup (Jaquan Sanders assists)
- 2nd Half51-52Jakobi Heady makes 3-foot dunk (Ariel Bland assists)
- 2nd Half51-53Miles Ndalama makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half52-53Arterio Morris makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-53Arterio Morris makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half55-53Daniel Rouzan makes 1-foot dunk (Arterio Morris assists)
- 2nd Half55-55Tyler Shirley makes layup
- 2nd Half56-55Jakobi Heady makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half57-55Jakobi Heady makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half59-55Arterio Morris makes layup
- 2nd Half59-56Kaleb Washington makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-57Kaleb Washington makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half62-57Jakobi Heady makes 26-foot three point jumper (Arterio Morris assists)
- 2nd Half64-57Jakobi Heady makes 2-foot dunk
- 2nd Half65-57Ariel Bland makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half65-58Tyler Shirley makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half65-59Tyler Shirley makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half65-60Jaquan Sanders makes free throw 1 of 3
- 2nd Half65-61Jaquan Sanders makes free throw 2 of 3
- 2nd Half65-62Jaquan Sanders makes free throw 3 of 3
- 2nd Half65-65Jaquan Sanders makes 24-foot three point jumper (Micah Octave assists)
- 2nd Half67-65Jakobi Heady makes layup
- 2nd Half69-65Quentin Heady makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half69-67Jaquan Sanders makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half69-69Tyler Shirley makes layup
- 2nd Half72-69Jordan Johnson makes 27-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half72-70Kaleb Washington makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-70Daniel Rouzan makes layup
- 2nd Half75-70Daniel Rouzan makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half75-72Kaleb Washington makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half75-74Micah Octave makes 0-foot tip in layup
- 2nd Half75-77Jaquan Sanders makes 30-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half75-78Jordan Chatman makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-78Quentin Heady makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-78Quentin Heady makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-79Tyler Shirley makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-80Kaleb Washington makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-81Kaleb Washington makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Florida A&M Rattlers, below favours Bethune-Cookman Wildcats.
Venue
- Al Lawson CenterTallahassee, FL
- Attendance3100
Elsewhere
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- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond