Jackson State Tigers Roar Back to Split Annual Florida Swing

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In a thrilling comeback victory, the Jackson State Tigers rallied to defeat the Florida A&M Rattlers by a score of 66-65 on Monday night. This hard-fought win on the road comes on the heels of a tough loss to Bethune-Cookman just two days prior, as the Tigers bounced back to split their annual "Florida two-step" swing against HBCU rivals.

Daeshun Ruffin led the way for the Tigers, pouring in a game-high 30 points to go along with 6 assists. The dynamic guard was key in sparking Jackson State's second-half comeback after they trailed by as many as 13 points. Junior forward Jayme Mitchell Jr. also made his presence felt, hitting the go-ahead 3-pointer with just 1:11 remaining to give the Tigers the lead for good. Mitchell finished with 9 rebounds and 3 steals in the winning effort.

For Florida A&M, Kaleb Washington led the way with 17 points, while Jordan Chatman and Miles Ndalama chipped in 16 and 10 points respectively.

"One to learn from for sure! We couldn't score consistently whether going to the basket or shooting from the outside. It just wasn't our night. We missed some crucial FT when we had a lead. We will keep working for our outcomes and improved from tonight,"

This hard-fought battle between two SWAC rivals is yet another example of the exciting brand of basketball being played at Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country. The SWAC, in particular, has emerged as one of the most competitive mid-major conferences, with teams like Jackson State and Florida A&M battling tooth-and-nail every night.

HBCUConnect Perspective: As the premier online community for HBCU alumni and supporters, we take great pride in highlighting the achievements of our student-athletes and the schools they represent. Victories like this for the Jackson State Tigers not only showcase the talent and determination of the players, but also the unwavering spirit and pride that permeates the entire HBCU ecosystem. These types of comeback wins against conference foes reinforce the message that HBCUs continue to be hotbeds for elite college basketball, producing young men and women who embody the values of hard work, resilience, and community. The Jackson State Tigers' grit and resolve in this game is a testament to the excellence that HBCUs cultivate, and we are excited to follow their journey as they continue to make their mark on the college basketball landscape.

Originally reported by HBCU Gameday.