Hatters Set to Challenge No. 10 Florida State

DeLand, Fla. -- Stetson will aim for its fourth win in a row Thursday as the Hatters head to Tallahassee to face the 10th-ranked Florida State Seminoles. Tip-off at the Donald L. Tucker Center is set for 7 p.m. with live coverage on ACC Extra and WatchESPN.

The Hatters (6-4) enter the contest riding a season-high three-game winning streak. Stetson overcame a 13-point halftime deficit at SIUE Sunday to defeat the Cougars 65-61. The Hatters shot .538 in the second half after connecting on just 6-of-28 attempts (.214) in the first half.

The Seminoles are a perfect 8-0 on the season and ranked 10th in the USA Today Top 25 Coaches Poll. FSU averages over 90 points per game and owns a scoring margin of +30.8, both of which rank in the top-5 statistically in the NCAA. Shakayla Thomas leads the Seminoles in scoring with 22.9 ppg.

"They are a really good team," Stetson head coach Lynn Bria said. "They score a lot, and their transition is really good and they rebound. They are not ranked 10th in the country for nothing.

"We definitely can't give them transition baskets," Bria added. "We have to make sure we get back, that we get under the ball, and that we have five people guarding. I think that's half the battle right there. So much of it, too, is just us running good offense. We have to take good shots so we can get back. If we come down and just fire up shots, I think we are in trouble."

Brittney Chambers was named ASUN Player of the Week Tuesday after averaging 17.7 points and 6.7 rebounds during the Hatters' three-game win streak. She leads the ASUN in scoring with 18.0 ppg. It was her second Player of the Week award this season.

As a team, the Hatters lead the ASUN in field goal pct. (.443) and free throw pct. (.778), and scoring defense (61.0).

FSU leads the all-time series 18-3 over the Hatters. Stetson recently ended a 29-year drought against Florida. The Hatters last win over the Seminoles came in 1987.

In addition to the live broadcast, live stats, twitter (@StetsonWBB) and the HatCheck text messaging system will provide live updates as well.

Notes:

Head Coach Lynn Bria has 183 coaching victories at Stetson, one shy of tying the school record.
The Hatters rank 14th in the NCAA in free throw pct. (.778) and first in free throws made (158).
McKenna Beach leads the ASUN in free throw pct. (.891), assists (5.1), and A/TO ratio (2.7).
Sydney Wagner has made 9-of-her-last-13 3-point field goal attempts. She leads the team with 18 3-pointers.
Up next: the Hatters break for finals before facing Western Kentucky in West Palm Beach on Dec. 16.

About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program has a vision of developing a culture of champions athletically, academically and within the community. This vision is accomplished through a mission of recruiting and developing student-athletes, coaches and staff, creating a culture of champions, within and outside of competition. The department operates with five core values: Championship Culture, Integrity, Excellence, Pride/Tradition and Leadership. To learn more about the Vision, Mission and Core Values for Stetson Athletics, visit GoHatters.com and click on Mission Statement under the Inside Athletics tab.

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Players Mentioned

#2 McKenna Beach: G; 5' 6"; Junior

#30 Brittney Chambers: G; 5' 6"; Senior

#3 Sydney Wagner: G; 5' 6"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#2 McKenna Beach
: 5' 6"; Junior
: G

#30 Brittney Chambers
: 5' 6"; Senior
: G

#3 Sydney Wagner
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: G

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Hatters Set to Challenge No. 10 Florida State

Players Mentioned

#2 McKenna Beach

#30 Brittney Chambers

#3 Sydney Wagner

Players Mentioned

#2 McKenna Beach

#30 Brittney Chambers

#3 Sydney Wagner