DeLand, Fla. - Down to just nine players in uniform, using just eight and only three days removed from its first full-squad practice, the Stetson women's basketball team showed the rust in a 94-72 exhibition loss to visiting Florida Southern at the Edmunds Center Saturday afternoon. Sophomore guard Kerri Simpson (Charleston, Tenn.) led five Hatters in double figures with 18 points, seven assists, two blocks and two steals. Junior forward Jessica Conner (Cocoa, Fla.) added 18 points and seven rebounds.
Stetson battled back from a 43-33 halftime deficit to come within four early in the second half, but FSC stemmed the tide and cruised away to the 22-point win. Two-time Division II All-Region honoree Chelsea Johnson scored 27 points on 9-16 shooting to lead five Lady Mocs in double figures.
Michaela Hawley notched a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double while Nicolle DiRaimo and Megan Dzikas scored 14 points each. Tanja Speaker was the final Florida Southern double-digit scorer with 12 points and seven rebounds. DiRaimo had six rebounds and five steals as well. Dzikas went 10-10 from the free throw line; Florida Southern hit on 32 of 38 free throw attempts as a team.
Junior guard Tierra Brown (Orlando, Fla.), sophomore guard Lyllique Roman (Poinciana, Fla.) and freshman forward Janelle Mills (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) joined Conner and Simpson in double figures with 10 points apiece. Junior center Daphnee Frieson (Mobile, Ala.) led Stetson defensively with nine rebounds and three blocked shots.
The Hatters will return to practice for a week before opening the regular season next Saturday, Nov. 14 at in-state powerhouse Florida. The game tips off at 1 p.m. in the O'Connell Center. Live stats and online video will be at UF official athletic website www.gatorzone.com.
