DeLand, Fla. -- Leading by just two points at halftime, Stetson outscored Kennesaw State 28-5 in the third quarter and cruised to a 74-56 victory in the Atlantic Sun Conference quarterfinal round Friday night at the Edmunds Center.
Brianti Saunders led all players with 25 points as the fourth-seeded Hatters (19-10) advance to play top-seeded Florida Gulf Coast at 7 p.m. Wednesday night in Fort Myers.
"I thought in the second half, we came out with a lot more energy and played a lot better," Stetson head coach Lynn Bria said. "It was kind of the tale of two halves. In the first half, I thought we were a bit sluggish and they had the energy. Overall, I was pleased with our effort. I thought our effort was good the entire game."
Saunders shot 9-for-17 from the field and hit four 3-pointers to help lead Stetson to its 19th victory of the season. Sarah Sagerer also had a big night, recording 14 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. Breana Bey chipped in 10 points as well, including her first 3-pointer of the year in the final seconds of the first half.
Stetson's defense held Kennesaw State to 1-for-15 shooting in the third quarter, and 34 percent for the game. The Hatters shot 47 percent and outrebounded the Owls 36-32.
Notes: The win was Stetson's 17th straight over Kennesaw State ... The Hatters have won their A-Sun quarterfinal game six years in a row ... Lynn Bria won her 150th game as Stetson's head coach ... Stetson won its 500th game in the modern era ... Brianti Saunders surpassed the 1400-point mark for her career.
