Savannah, Ga. ? The coach stood limply in front of the bench — arms folded, a disbelieving look in his eyes.

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, Monday night.

“It’s unbelievable,” senior Sherard Reddick said. “I don’t believe it.”

Savannah State became just the second NCAA Division One school in a half-century to go through an entire season without a victory.

At least the Tigers didn’t go down without a fight, managing their closest loss of the season. They tied it at 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.

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

The Rattlers clearly were relieved to get out of Savannah with a victory. During one of the final timeouts, Darius Glover tried to calm his teammates. “Come on, guys. Relax. Relax,” he said.

Savannah State athletic director Robert O'Neal, left, hugs the senior basketball players after the Tigers lost to Florida A&M, capping an 0-28 season. Savannah State became just the second Division One school to go winless after Monday's loss in Savannah, Ga.

When Carson shot an airball on a desperation three-pointer that could have forced overtime, Florida A&M coach Mike Gillespie walked in front of the bench and said defiantly, “We won the … game.”

Savannah State couldn’t say that all year, joining Prairie View in the hall of infamy. The Texas school went 0-28 in 1991-92 — the only other Division One 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.

This time, Savannah State completed an imperfect season without having to rely on forfeits. The Tigers lost by an average margin of nearly 23 points a game.

“They gave it their best effort all year,” Daniels said. “We just needed some additional help.”

Savannah State's Mark Williams watches as the game against Florida A&M winds down.

Savannah State has only eight scholarship players — five short of the limit and the most striking example of a school that had no business jumping to Division One.

The Tigers had some success in Division Two — former NFL great Shannon Sharpe is an alumnus — but moving up to the highest level has been a major blunder. The school doesn’t have enough money to fund any of its programs fully, and no conference stepped forward with an invitation.

So, Savannah State plays on as an independent, with scant hope of success.

“It’s very tough,” Carson said. “We all came together and fought hard. We just couldn’t pull it out.”

At least the Tigers got what they craved when they ventured into Division One — plenty of attention. ESPN even did live “cut-ins” during its regular programming to provide updates on Savannah State’s plight.

Florida A&M routed Savannah State, 92-68, 12 days earlier in Tallahassee, but the Rattlers had a much tougher time in the Tigers’ gym.

“People remember the last thing you’ve done,” Daniels said. “They have a chance to go on and do some other things. Maybe they’ll be able to look back and talk in a lighthearted way about this.”