DeLand, Fla. - Ridge Graham (Stuart, Fla.) booked his second double-double of the season yet it wasn't enough for the Hatters to reel in the sailfish Friday night in the Edmunds Center. Palm Beach Atlantic (4-2) jumped out to a 43-27 halftime lead and then held on for a 61-55 win over Stetson (1-3). It was PBA's first-ever win over Stetson in five attempts.
Graham was 6-for-11 from the field and 7-of-12 from the line for 19 points and added 11 rebounds for the Hatters. Tyshawn Patterson (Orlando, Fla.) scored 16 points and Steve Forbes (Clermont, Fla.) hit for seven points and pulled down seven rebounds for the Hatters. David Wood and Dante Valentine scored 14 and 13 points to lead the Sailfish.
PBA's David Sitz opened the second half with a jumper to give his team a game-high 18 point advantage before Stetson began to whittle away at the lead. A Jermol Paul (West Palm Beach, Fla.) 3-pointer with 7:51 remaining in the game reduced the deficit to one point at 51-50 and it seemed the Hatters were ready to take their rightful position as leaders. It wasn't to be as PBA outscored Stetson 10-5 coming down the stretch for the six point victory. Stetson did not score a single point in the final four minutes and forty seconds of the game.
Next up the Hatters will be back in the Edmunds Center to host Savannah State on November 30 at 7:00 p.m. Catch the game on Hatter Vision with 17-year veterans Murray Miller and Harry Arnold calling the action. Also be sure to follow the Hatters on Twitter at @StetsonSID (twitter.com/stetsonsid), "like" Stetson Athletics on Facebook and check out the official YouTube channel at youtube.com/stetsonhatters.
