DeLand, Fla. – What a difference a week makes.
Just seven days after a falling by 20 points on the road at Jacksonville, Stetson gave a strong 40-minute effort in a 66-61 home victory over the Dolphins Saturday afternoon at the Edmunds Center.
Five Hatters scored in double figures as Stetson (14-8) completed a sweep of its two-game home stand and improved to 5-3 in Atlantic Sun play.
Leading 30-29 at the break, the Hatters opened the second half on an 11-0 run and held JU to just six points the entire third quarter.
“I thought our defense was very good,” Stetson head coach Lynn Bria said. “Defensively our kids did everything we asked of them. We played hard.”
Sarah Sagerer tied a season-high with 15 points off the bench. DeAsia Beal (14 points), Breana Bey (13 points), Brianti Saunders (11 points), and Myka Johnson-Matthews (10 points) also scored in double figures.
"We didn't want to make the same mistakes we made last time," Sagerer said. "We had to come out with a lot energy and play the way we are supposed to play."
Last week, the Dolphins scored 38 points in the paint but were held to just 20 inside points by the Hatters on Saturday.
“Jacksonville is a good team,” Bria said. “They have a lot of inside-outside weapons, but they want to go inside. We did a really good job (defending) the inside.”
Saunders added seven rebounds and four assists to her 11 points while playing a full 40-minute game. Bey led the team with eight rebounds, while Beal added five boards, four assists, two steals, and a block.
The Dolphins (14-9, 6-2 A-Sun) scored 26 points in the fourth quarter, 19 of which came in the final five minutes of the game.
Stetson shot 40.7 percent from the floor and had 16 assists on 24 baskets. JU shot just 30.6 percent but held a 51-44 edge on the glass.
"I think the ball was moving really well,” Beal said. “When you are aggressive, it is not only helps you, it helps other people. I noticed when I was attacking, I had my post players wide open. They call for me and I see them, and that leads to an easy bucket."
The Hatters will play their next three games on the road, beginning Wednesday night at UNF.
Notes: Stetson improved to 9-2 at home and 13-1 when leading at halftime … Brianti Saunders scored her 1300th career point but had her free throw streak end at 22 straight. She scored in double figures for the 22nd straight game this season … Stetson held JU to 1-for-17 shooting in the 3rd Quarter … Last week, the Dolphins scored 38 points in the paint but were held to just 20 inside points by the Hatters on Saturday … It was the 298th career win for head coach Lynn Bria.
