Savannah State finishes 0-28

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The coach stood limply in front of the bench - arms folded, a disbelieving look in his eyes.

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One of his players sat dejectedly on the court - staring at his feet, not wanting to look up at the all-too-familiar scoreboard.

Savannah State seemed overwhelmed by the finality of it all.

Yep, the Tigers went 0-for the season. They finished 0-28 by losing to Florida A&M, 49-44 on Monday night.

"It's unbelievable," senior Sherard Reddick said. "I don't believe it."

Savannah State became just the second NCAA Division I school in a half-century to go through a season without a win.

At least the Tigers didn't go down without a fight, managing their closest loss of the season. They tied it at 41-41 with 1:57 remaining when Donald Carson - son of former New York Giants linebacker Harry Carson - hit two free throws.

But Michael Harper put Florida A&M (9-13) ahead for good just 12 seconds later with two free throws. Mark Williams hit a long 3-pointer with 14 seconds remaining to pull Savannah State to 45-44, but Tony Tate clinched it at the free throw line for the Rattlers.

"It doesn't feel like we lost 28 games this season," Reddick said. "I guess God is testing us."

For the first time all season, Savannah State also had a chance to lead at halftime. But Michael Ayodele hit a 3 with 8 seconds remaining in the period, putting Florida A&M ahead 28-26.

"Two points is real good," said Chris White, a 19-year-old student who was among the crowd of 1,357. "Usually by halftime, we're losing by 20 points. I actually might watch the rest of the game instead of just talking to my friends."

Indeed, the crowd was on its feet in the frantic final seconds. But in the end, it was still a loss.

"Basically," White said, "they're out of their league."

Savannah State joined Prairie View in the hall of infamy. The Texas school went 0-28 in 1991-92 - the only other Division I team in the last 50 years to endure a winless season.

The Tigers won four games last season, but had to forfeit those because of an ineligible player - the son of coach Edward Daniels, no less. Officially, the school has a 55-game losing streak.