FORT MYERS, Fla.—FGCU shot 59 percent from the field while also limiting Stetson to 33 percent shooting as the Hatters suffered an 82-53 setback in Atlantic Sun Conference action, Saturday at Alico Arena.

The Eagles (10-7, 1-0) shot 71 percent in the first half as they raced to a 44-17 lead at halftime. Stetson (6-11, 0-2) made just six of 28 shots from the field in the first 20 minutes.

Derick Newton and Divine Myles led Stetson with 11 points apiece. FGCU's Zach Johnson led all scorers with 17 points.

While the Eagles controlled play throughout the first half, the game got away from the Hatters when they went without a field goal for the final 7:11 before halftime.

Stetson showed life in the second half, shooting 46 percent from the field. But the Hatters were unable to overcome such a large halftime deficit as they dropped their second straight conference game.

“Give them credit,” Stetson head coach Corey Williams said of FGCU. “They are athletic and they came to play. I think it was some culture shock for our guys seeing their athleticism and size. We told the team that they couldn't be timid. We had to be aggressive and we weren't.”

FGCU edged Stetson the glass, 38-33, while forcing the Hatters into 15 turnovers. Stetson was just four of 20 from 3-point range. FGCU blocked nine shots, including five by Demetrius Morant.

News & Notes
Stetson's 17 points at halftime were its fewest in any half in three seasons … Brian Pegg fell one point shy of his ninth double-double of the season with nine points and 10 rebounds … Pegg did, however, move closer to 500 rebounds as his 10 boards give him 487 for his career.

Up Next
The Hatters return home and open an A-Sun weekend when they host USC Upstate, 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 14 at Edmunds Center.

--SU--