DeLAND--Columbus State placed three players in double figures and limited Stetson to 31.5 percent shooting in a 66-55 exhibition win for the Cougars, Saturday at Edmunds Center.

Deangelo Kirkland led the Cougars with 18 points while Kenny Funderburk and Ty Harris each scored 15 points.

Kentwan Smith led the Hatters with 10 points and 10 rebounds. He was the only Stetson player to reach double figures in either category.

With just four returning letter winners from last season, and roster that includes seven freshmen and ranks as one of the youngest in the country, Stetson struggled against a much more experienced Columbus State squad, one which boasts nine seniors. At times on Saturday the Hatters had four freshmen on the floor for extended periods of action.

Columbus State jumped out to a 17-4 advantage as Stetson made its first field goal attempt of the game and then missed its next nine shots. Jonathan Joseph's three-pointer with 12:00 left in the first half stopped the bleeding. That basket also sparked a 20-7 run which helped the Hatters pull even at 24 all on a pair of free throws by Brian Pegg with 4:39 left before halftime.

A dunk by Smith gave the Hatters a 28-27 lead with 3:18 left in the first half, Stetson's final lead of the game.

Columbus State led 32-30 at halftime.

In the second half Stetson made just 7-of-28 field goals and was 10-of-20 from the free throw line.

The Cougars led by as many as 14 points in the second half (59-45) and maintained a double-digit lead for the final 8:15 of the game.

Stetson limited the Cougars to 37 percent (22-59) shooting for the game, but the Cougars dominated the boards to the tune of a 46-34 rebounding advantage, an advantage which allowed them to score 17 second-chance points.

Freshman Divine Myles had nine points for Stetson, while Joseph chipped in with seven points and five rebounds.

The Hatters open the 2014-15 regular season when they host Edward Waters, 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14 at Edmunds Center.

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