Waco, Texas – Fueled by a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double from sophomore Brianti Saunders, Stetson remained undefeated with a 57-50 victory over Marist Friday evening in the first round of the BTI Classic at the Ferrell Center.
The Hatters held the Red Foxes to 35 percent shooting and improved to 4-0 for the first time since 1986.
Stetson, meanwhile, shot 39 percent from the floor and just 15 percent from 3-point range.
“We were very fortunate to get a win,” Stetson head coach Lynn Bria said. “We didn't shoot the ball very well. I felt like our defense was good and kept us in the game. We had a lead and let it slip away, but Marist is good. They are not going to lie down and die.”
Stetson held Marist (0-4) to just 18 points in the first half and led by nine points at the break. After hitting just one three pointer in their first 18 attempts, the Hatters hit three in a row midway through the second half as part of a 13-0 run to push the lead to 15.
The Red Foxes, however, answered with an 11-0 run of their own and cut the deficit to just four, 54-50, with 1:32 to play. After a timeout, Myeisha Hall drove the left baseline and finished a lay-up to give Stetson a 56-50 advantage. The Hatters forced a turnover on the next Marist possession, and Amber Porter added a final free throw with 46 seconds left to cap the scoring.
“We got key stops when we needed them,” Bria said. “I am really proud of our effort, really proud.”
Saunders scored Stetson's first six points of the game and had 12 of the team's 27 points at halftime.
“Brianti carried us in the first half,” Bria said. “We wouldn't have been in the game if it weren't for her. She got rebounds, she scored, and she got to the basket. Overall, she played a great game.”
Jama Sharp scored 12 points and Hall added 11 for the Hatters, who held their third straight opponent to 52 points or less.
Stetson outscored Marist 40-8 in points in the paint. Defensively, the Hatters held the Red Foxes to just eight 2-point field goals. However, Stetson went to the free throw line a total of three times in the game.
“I thought we had to play through some adversity,” Bria said. “It wasn't real pretty, but we found a way to win.'
Stetson will face #13 Baylor at 1 p.m. Saturday. Fans can listen live on WSBB AM1230 New Smyrna Beach, AM1490 DeLand, and online at myam1230.com.
Notes: Brianti Saunders recorded her second career double-double ... Amber Porter recorded her 140th career block ... Stetson has now won 30 straight games when holding opponents to 55 points or less ... Marist has reached the NCAA Tournament in each of the last nine seasons.
