CHARLESTON, S.C.—The Citadel's Derrick Henry made two free throws with 11.8 seconds to play and Stetson missed three shots from close range in the final eight seconds as the Bulldogs edged the Hatters, 94-93, Tuesday at McAllister Fieldhouse.
With Stetson (0-2) leading 93-92, Henry was fouled on a drive to the basket with less than 12 seconds to play. The graduate transfer made both attempts, setting the stage for Stetson's final trip. Cameron Harvey's floater from six feet was blocked, Angel Rivera rebounded in the lane but missed a put-back attempt which was corralled by Brian Pegg, who missed a hurried layup with four seconds to go. Citadel (1-1) finally tracked down the rebound to pull out the win.
The Hatters were in position to win thanks to Harvey, who drained a three-pointer from the right wing with just under 30 seconds left to give Stetson a 93-92 lead. After a timeout, Stetson forced a held ball with 18 seconds to go, but the possession arrow was in Citadel's favor, helping set up Henry's game-winning effort.
“I think we are beginning to establish some kind of lineup which can give us what we need,” said Stetson head coach Corey Williams. “We've got to continue to build. Brian Pegg played his heart out and Divine played well, too. It's unfortunate that we couldn't find a way to finish this game off. We had an opportunity but just couldn't do it.”
The game seemed to turn in Stetson's favor in the second half. Newton asserted himself early in the half, scoring six points in the first 2:14 as Stetson gained a 61-55 lead on the second of two three-point plays by the freshman.
Citadel eventually whittled Stetson's lead to one when Brian White converted a three-point play to make it a 67-66 game with 13:08 left. Stetson responded with an 11-1 run over the next two minutes and when Luke Doyle's jumper went through the net with 10:19 to play, Stetson led 78-68.
But Citadel didn't go away. Instead, the Bulldogs responded with a 16-0 run an appeared to take control with an 84-78 lead with 5:39 to go. Stetson, however, battled back and gave itself a chance to win at the end, but just came up short.
The Hatters shot 54.9 percent from the field for the game, but went just 6-20 from 3-point range. Stetson out-rebounded the Bulldogs, 35-31.
Citadel shot 58 percent from the field and went 16-of-18 from the free throw line, a decided advantage over Stetson's 9-for-12 night at the stripe.
Myles was 9-14 from the field and added eight rebounds, four assists and two steals. Newton finished with 14 points and four boards, and Doyle chipped in 13 off the bench.
The Hatters next face West Virginia, 7 p.m., Friday in Morgantown, W.Va. The game will be televised by ROOT Sports.
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