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Abayomi Iyiola
54
Stetson STET 5-20, 1-9
57
Winner Liberty LIB 20-5, 9-1
Stetson STET
5-20, 1-9
54
Final
57
Liberty LIB
20-5, 9-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Stetson STET 21 33 54
Liberty LIB 29 28 57

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Athletic Communications

Late Rally Ends in Heartbreak

Stetson mounted a furious rally in the final minutes at Liberty but a would-be game-tying shot just before the final buzzer was off the mark as the Hatters dropped a 57-54 heartbreaker to Liberty in ASUN Conference play, Tuesday in Lynchburg, Va.
 
Once down by as many as 12 points in the second half, Stetson (5-20 overall, 1-9 ASUN) used a smothering defensive effort and an opportunistic offense to get back in the game down the stretch.
 
After a pair of free throws by Marques Sumner with 1:20 to go and a jumper by Abayomi Iyiola pulled the Hatters to within 57-54 with 43 seconds left, Stetson forced a bad shot by the Flames (20-5, 9-1) with 12 seconds left, giving Stetson an opportunity at a game-tying shot. But Keith Matthews' three-pointer from the left wing was just off the mark as the Flames escaped with a win.
 
Stetson trailed, 29-21, at halftime and Liberty appeared to be on its way to an easy victory after a 10-0 run midway through the second half turned a 36-34 edge for the Flames into a 46-34 advantage with 11:26 remaining. But the Hatters kept coming.
 
The Flames maintained a double-digit lead for much of the next seven minutes and led 55-44 on a 3-pointer by Caleb Homesley with 4:30 to go. Stetson began its comeback after that basket with a pair of Iyiola free throws. Two more free throws by Kenny Aninye put the Hatters within 55-48 with 3:07 left.
 
A dunk by Homesley with 2:22 left gave the Flames a 57-48 lead but it would also prove to be their last basket, setting the stage for a wild – but disappointing – finish.
 
Iyiola led the Hatters with 16 points on 6 of 11 shooting. The sophomore forward also grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. Christiaan Jones joined Iyiola in double figures with 10 points.
 
Homesley led all scorers with 19 points.
 
Game Notes
  • Christiaan Jones scored in double figures for the first time in three games.
  • Keith Matthews tied a career-high with 3 steals
  • Abayomi Iyiola had his second straight double and 7th of the season. His 12 reboudns are his second-best effort this season (13, vs. VMI).
  • In two games against Liberty this season, the Hatters have scored just 38 points in the first half but 69 points in the second half
  • The Hatters were a perfect 8 for 8 from the free throw line in the 2nd half
 
Up Next
Stetson hosts Jacksonville, 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 13 at Edmunds Center.
 
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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