DeLand, Fla. ? Sharnesha Smith (Kingsland, Ga.) scored 18 points and Jessica Conner (Cocoa, Fla.) contributed a double-double with 10 points and 13 points, yet the Hatters could not hold off the Spartans coming down the stretch and fell by a score of 57-54. Stetson dropped to 6-8 overall and 3-2 in the Atlantic Sun, while USC Upstate raised its record to 7-6 and 2-3 in conference play.
Upstate opened the second half with a 9-5 run to take a 36-35 lead at the second media timeout.
The teams battled back and forth for the remainder of the game with neither gaining more than a five point advantage. The lead changed hands 11 times in the game.
Stetson had the ball with 25 seconds remaining in the game and down by one point at 55-54. Smith brought the ball down the floor and worked it inside to Ashli Jackson (Opelika, Ala.). Jackson was fouled attempting a shot from the paint with 7.1 seconds remaining and went to the line. After missing both free throws the Hatters were forced into a quick foul with 4.5 seconds remaining. Courtney Bradley (Columbia, S.C.) hit both of her free throws to put the visitors up by three and then Stetson came up short on a desperation 3-pointer.
In the end Stetson held a 41-34 advantage in rebounds and out shot Upstate 40% to 36% but it wasn't enough. The difference was a Spartan bench that out scored the Hatter bench 38-16. The teams combined for 47 turnovers in the game.
The first half was a story of turnovers as both teams started the game a bit rusty. The Hatters gave the ball up 19 times to 15 for the Spartans. Ayesha Barkley led all scorers with eight points at the break. Jessica Conner chipped in with an impressive nine rebounds.
Next up the Hatters will tip-off with A-Sun rival ETSU Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. in the Edmunds Center. Bill Topping and Dee Romine call the action; tune into Hatter Vision or Live Stats at www.GoHatters.com to follow all the action. The promotion for the game is 2009 Night... For $20.09 Hatter fans will receive 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas, 4 popcorns, and 4 tickets for the game.
Tickets for all Stetson home games are available on line at www.gohatters.com. For more information call the Stetson University Ticket Office at (386) 822-8110 or email at Hattertickets@stetson.edu.
