Jackson State Basketball Defeats Florida A & M 80-60 as Daeshun Ruffin Powers SWAC Win

Jackson State strengthened its position in the SWAC race Saturday night with an 80-60 victory over Florida A&M behind a dominant performance from Daeshun Ruffin.

Ruffin scored 25 points, added 9 rebounds and 6 assists, and controlled the tempo for Jackson State (conference record pending official update), delivering a complete performance on both ends of the floor. The Tigers shot 48 percent from the field and outrebounded Florida A&M 41-28, setting the tone physically from the opening tip.

Dionjahe Thomas contributed 11 points and 9 rebounds, while Dorian McMillian added 13 points, including 3 three pointers. Jayme Mitchell Jr chipped in 14 points, and Devin Ree provided 15 points off the bench on 5 of 8 shooting. Jackson State finished with 15 assists on 30 made field goals, reflecting balanced offensive execution.

Florida A&M (record pending confirmation) struggled offensively, shooting 32 percent from the field and 20 percent from three point range. Micah Octave led the Rattlers with 16 points and 6 rebounds. Kaleb Washington added 14 points, converting all 8 of his free throw attempts, while Jaquan Sanders scored 10 points off the bench.

The breaking update came in the first half as Jackson State established control in the paint and on the glass. The Tigers generated second chance opportunities and forced 13 Florida A&M turnovers, limiting the Rattlers’ ability to create sustained runs. By halftime, Jackson State had built a steady cushion and extended it methodically in the second half through efficient shot selection and defensive stops.

From a timeline perspective, this result reinforces Jackson State’s standing in the SWAC postseason picture. Rebounding margin and interior defense have been consistent indicators of conference success, and the Tigers’ plus 13 edge on the boards reflects a formula historically associated with deep runs in the league tournament.

For Florida A&M, the impact centers on offensive efficiency and perimeter consistency. The Rattlers converted just 4 three pointers and struggled to generate rhythm against Jackson State’s defensive pressure. Improving half court execution will be critical in upcoming conference matchups.

What this means moving forward is clear. Jackson State’s balanced scoring and paint presence position the Tigers as a contender as the regular season enters its final stretch. Florida A&M must address shooting efficiency and turnover control to stabilize its outlook.

Next steps include both programs returning to conference action later this week as the SWAC standings continue to tighten. This result may prove significant in seeding scenarios as tournament play approaches.