DeLand, Fla. - Senior A.J. Smith (Cocoa, Fla.) scored 23 points and handed out four assists and Sheldon Oliver (Orlando, Fla.) had a double-double with 12 points and as many rebounds to lead Stetson to a 76-71 overtime win over Southeastern University Thursday night in the Edmunds Center. The game was an exhibition tune up for the Hatters, yet counted as a regular season contest for the visiting Fire (1-3) from Lakeland, Florida.
Stetson did not trail in the game until just over five minutes remained in regulation. After falling behind by as many as eight points with 2:07 to play, the Hatters mounted a late comeback and tied the game 67-67 on an Oliver layup with seven seconds to go.
The Hatters outscored the Fire 9-4 in overtime to secure a "close call" victory over their NAIA opponent.
Showing some preseason rust the Hatters shot just 35% (24-69) from the field, 25% (9-36) from beyond the arc and 56% (19-34) from the line. Also scoring in double figures for Stetson was Brandon Williams (Miami, Fla.) with 14 points. Junior Olivier Dupiton (Montreal, Quebec) started the game and led all rebounders with 13.
Nathan Marshall (Maitland, Fla.) and Malcom Pollock (Jasper, Fla.) led the visitors with 19 and 18 points respectively.
Stetson will host Division III Averett University from Danville, Virginia in its regular season opener on Friday, November 13. The following week Stetson will hit the road to play Florida, Florida State and Charleston Southern.
