Hatters Hold Off Bethune-Cookman In Opener

DeLand, Fla. – The Stetson Hatters held off cross county rival Bethune-Cookman on Friday night at the Edmunds Center, taking a 65-60 victory over the Wildcats.

The game featured 48 turnovers, including 29 by the Hatters, to go with 46 personal fouls. The Stetson defense made the difference in the game, holding the Wildcats to just 26 percent shooting from the floor.

“We had guys make some plays throughout the game, but we made enough mistakes tonight to last all year,” Hatters rookie head coach Casey Alexander said. “We had 19 turnovers at halftime and 29 for the game. I don't know what the Stetson record is, but we had to be close to it. They created some of that with their pressure, but we also lost our composure some and just threw it to them.”

Before the Hatters edged ahead for the win, the game featured 14 lead changes and 10 ties. In fact, it was Bethune-Cookman (0-1) holding a four point lead (54-50) with just 3:35 left to play before Stetson (1-0) went on an 8-0 run that was sparked by a three-pointer from junior Joel Narburgs.

Junior Chris Perez capped the run with an old-fashioned three-point play, giving the Hatters a 58-54 lead with 1:48 left.

From there the Wildcats started taking long-range bombs in an attempt to cut the deficit quickly. On the night, Stetson held B-CU to just 4-of-19 shooting from three-point range, part of a 19-for-73 overall night from the field for the Wildcats.

The final dagger for the Hatters came from sophomore guard Aaron Graham, who drained a three-pointer with 1:18 left to put Stetson up four.

“I didn't think 'oh, no' but I would have preferred he taken a better shot,” Alexander said of the Graham three. “I do want guys who can make that shot to feel comfortable shooting it. Our guys know when they have the green light because I will let them know when I don't want them to shoot it.”

Stetson only took 42 shots from the floor in the game, hitting 23 for a 54.8 percent clip. The Hatters were 6-of-12 from three-point range.

Sophomore guard Aaron Graham posted a double-double in the game for Stetson, piling up 10 rebounds to go with his 12 points. Junior center Adam Pegg and sophomore guard Chris Perez had 14 points each to lead Stetson.

Anthony Breeze was one of two Bethune-Cookman players with double-doubles on the night. He had 18 points and 10 rebounds to go with 10 points and 15 boards from Garrius Holloman.

The Hatters will go on the road for the first time next week when they play a pair of games in Tallahassee. Stetson will face Florida A&M on Monday night before tangling with the Seminoles on Wednesday.

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Players Mentioned

#20 Aaron Graham: G; 6' 4"; Freshman

#41 Adam Pegg: F/C; 6' 9"; Junior

#3 Chris Perez: G; 6' 4"; Redshirt Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#20 Aaron Graham
: 6' 4"; Freshman
: G

#41 Adam Pegg
: 6' 9"; Junior
: F/C

#3 Chris Perez
: 6' 4"; Redshirt Sophomore
: G

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Hatters Hold Off Bethune-Cookman In Opener

Players Mentioned

#20 Aaron Graham

#41 Adam Pegg

#3 Chris Perez

Players Mentioned

#20 Aaron Graham

#41 Adam Pegg

#3 Chris Perez