Guaynabo, Puerto Rico -- The Hatters went into the San Juan Shootout knowing they would be facing a step up in competition. For the second straight game, Stetson hung right with its opponent all the way to the final minute, only to come up a few points short.
Saturday, Stetson cut a 13-point halftime deficit down to one on four separate occasions in the fourth quarter before falling 71-65 to Boise State in the final day of the San Juan Shootout.
Breana Bey had a career night, registering 21 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Hatters (3-3). Brianti Saunders hit four 3-pointers and scored 18 points, while DeAsia Beal scored 12.
A sluggish second quarter ultimately cost Stetson. The Hatters led 17-16 late in the first quarter, but the Broncos (3-2) outscored Stetson 22-8 the rest of the half to lead 38-25 at halftime.
"I was just really disappointed with our start," Stetson head coach Lynn Bria said. "Boise is a very good team, and you have to come out ready to play. I felt like they had all the energy and we didn't have any energy. I thought the start really hurt us."
Stetson rallied in the second half, behind strong efforts from Bey and Beal. The Hatter juniors combined for 24 points in the final 20 minutes to help get Stetson back into the game. The Hatters trailed 54-48 at the end of the third quarter, and pulled to within one at 56-55 with 6:16 to play. It was the first of four opportunities the Hatters had to stop Boise State training by a single point, but the Broncos made their shots down the stretch to hold on for the victory.
"In the second half, we fought, we battled back, and we got ourselves in a position to win the game," Bria said. "It is going to come down to a couple of plays, and you have to make them. We had an opportunity to get a stop, we were down by one, and we didn't get it.
"I think when we battle back and we use that energy to put ourselves in that position, we have to bear down right there and make a couple of plays offensively and defensively."
Bey, the Atlantic Sun leader in field goal percentage, went 8-for-11 from the floor and 5-for-6 from the free throw line. She scored 15 of her 21 points in the second half. Beal scored nine of her 12 points after the break as well.
"(Breana) had an incredible two games," Bria said. "She just keeps getting better, and better, and better. I am just really proud of her. (DeAsia) had a really good second half, and we needed her to do that. Today was really good for her to get her confidence back."
Boise State shot 58% from the floor, while Stetson shot 39%. The Hatters hit nine 3-pointers and held a slight 32-30 advantage on the glass.
Stetson will return home to face UCF at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday night.
