DeLand, Fla. ? The Stetson women's basketball team (1-8) failed to top 50 points for the sixth consecutive game and saw its losing streak also extend to six in an 82-48 home loss to Southeastern Louisiana Monday evening at the Edmunds Center. Freshman guard Tierra Brown (Orlando, Fla./First Academy) led the Hatters with 11 points, her fourth double-figure output in the last five games.
The game was close and competitive for much of the first half, with Stetson rallying from an early 4-0 deficit to lead 13-9 with 13:10 to play in the first half. That run was capped off by some hard-nosed play from junior guard Sharnesha Smith (Kingsland, Ga.), who converted two steals into fast-break layups (one her own and the other by Brown). After an 8-0 Lady Lion run put the visitors back up 17-13, Stetson scored five straight points, taking their final lead of the night with 8:48 to go when freshman forward Jessica Conner (Cocoa, Fla./Cocoa HS) made an easy layup off a pass from Brown.
Shameika Russell's jumper with 7:23 to go in the half put SLU up for good at 19-18, although the Hatters would come within two points four different times before the intermission. Senior forward Vlendy Roldan (Kissimmee, Fla./Santa Fe C.C.) had eight points in the first half on four of six shooting while Brown had seven in the first half. Kristy Carlin led all scorers with nine first-half points for the Lady Lions.
The game was sealed for the Lady Lions (5-5) with a 14-0 run across the halftime break and they would cruise home from there. Jameica Gross's layup with 13:10 to go extended their lead to 52-31 and Stetson never again got the deficit under 20 points.
Roldan finished with 10 points and six rebounds while Smith and freshman guard Brittany Carannante (Clearwater, Fla./Clearwater HS) had seven points apiece. Carannante also blocked two shots for the first time and tied her career high with five rebounds. Junior center Ayesha Barkley (East Orange, N.J.) tied her season high with two blocked shots; she now has 36 career rejections and is just five shy of tying Audrey Kull (1997-2001) for 10th place in the Stetson record books.
Carlin led all scorers with 16 points and also had four assists for Southeastern Louisiana. Zevy Ivory had a double-double off the bench with 14 points and 10 rebounds while Adonna Weaver added 12 points and eight rebounds.
Stetson's four-game homestand continues when the Hatters host Furman at the Edmunds Center Thursday evening at 7 p.m. Hatter fans can tune in to www.gohatters.com for Hatter Vision's live broadcast with Bill Topping calling the action.
