DeLand, Fla. – Freshman Kennedi Colclough made a splash in her Hatter debut, scoring a team-high 18 points, as Stetson opened the 2016-17 season with a 92-54 victory over Webber International Friday night at the Edmunds Center.
Colclough led five Hatters (1-0) in double figures as Stetson won its season opener for the third year in a row.
"It felt good (to finally play)," Colclough said when asked about the long preseason. "I think we were all excited. I was extremely nervous, but my teammates calmed me down a lot. They just told me to go out there and play my game."
Colclough scored 12 points in the first half alone and finished with six rebounds and a steal.
"I thought Kennedi played great," Stetson head coach Lynn Bria said. "She did everything from rebounding, making good passes, scoring, and getting to the free throw line a ton. Between her, and Sarah (Sagerer), and (Breana) Bey, they did a great job."
Colclough wasn't the only the Hatter newcomer to have a strong debut. Junior Brittney Chambers hit a pair of 3s and scored 11 points, while freshman Adrianna Ellis collected a team-high five assists.
Sarah Sagerer also helped fill the stat sheet with 10 points, seven rebounds, and five blocks. Myka Johnson-Matthews was 6-for-10 from the floor for 14 points, and Brianti Saunders added 12 points.
Stetson forced Webber (1-5) into 38 turnovers and converted 27 fastbreak points. However, a slow start saw the Hatters score just nine points in the first six minutes of the game.
"I thought it was a little bit sloppy," Bria said. "I don't think we got off to a real good start. Maybe we were a little nervous with our first game. I thought we rebounded the ball offensively really well. Defensively, we need to do a better job of staying disciplined. Overall, it was sloppy, but we will take it."
Stetson will host Valparaiso at 7 p.m. Saturday night. The game will be broadcast live on WatchESPN and WSBB.
Notes:
Stetson improved to 8-1 in home openers under head coach Lynn Bria ... Brianti Saunders (1467) moved into fifth place on Stetson's all-time scoring list. She played in her 99th career game ... Also making her Hatter debut was Paloma Gragera, who scored two points in four minutes of action ... Stetson has scored 199 points combined in its last two season openers ... Stetson has won 58 consecutive games when scoring 74 points or more ... 12 players saw action in the game, the most by any Hatter team since February of 2013 ... Stetson had 22 assists and 18 steals in the game. DeAsia Beal and Myka Johnson-Matthews recorded four steals apiece.
