Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Stetson University Athletics

Scoreboard

Tickets, donate, shop

Sport schedule
University logo on load main University logo on scroll
Christiaan Jones
43
Liberty Lib 19-3,5-2 ASUN
48
Winner Stetson Stet 11-11,5-2 ASUN
Liberty Lib
19-3,5-2 ASUN
43
Final
48
Stetson Stet
11-11,5-2 ASUN
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Liberty Lib 29 14 43
Stetson Stet 18 30 48

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Athletic Communications

Cardiac Hats Topple Liberty, Move Into First Place Tie

Apparently all it takes is trailing by double-digits at halftime to get the Stetson Hatters going.
 
For the second straight game Stetson trailed by 11 points at halftime, and for the second time the Hatters rallied for an improbable win, this time getting a 48-43 victory against ASUN Conference heavy Liberty, Saturday at Edmunds Center.
 
The win, combined with North Florida's loss at Lipscomb, moves the Hatters into a three-way tie atop the ASUN standings.
 
In a game which was eerily similar to Thursday's 65-64 win over NJIT, the Hatters (11-11 overall, 5-2 ASUN) overcame a 29-18 halftime deficit, limiting the Flames to 14 points on 23 percent shooting in the final 20 minutes, and making big plays down the stretch.
 
"I think it's a great win for the school and for the program," Stetson head coach Donnie Jones said. "I have so much respect for Liberty. They've been where we're trying to get to. They are the top of the mountain, and for our kids to come in, show them respect and compete, is impressive. It was our night tonight."
 
Unlike Thursday's game against the Highlanders, where Stetson came out sluggish to start the second half and eventually trailed by 16 points before rallying, the Hatters came out of the locker room at halftime firing on Saturday.
 
Mahamadou Diawara started the comeback with a basket on Stetson's first possession. Rob Perry followed with back-to-back three-pointers to make it 29-26 and the Hatters were in business.
 
Liberty maintained the lead but the Flames (19-3, 5-2) were unable to push the Hatters away.
 
With Liberty holding a 34-31 edge with 12:17 to go it was nearly three minutes before either team scored again. Liberty's Scottie James converted a jumper for a 36-31 lead at 9:36. But Stetson soon came back to life.
 
A pair of free throws each by Perry and Diawara made it a 36-35 game. Two possessions later, Perry knifed his way long the baseline for a layup to give Stetson a 37-36 lead – its first of the game -- with 5:31 to go.
 
Stetson never trailed again.
 
A Christiaan Jones steal and coast-to-coast layup gave the Hatters a 39-36 advantage with 5:01 left, and the lead reached five points when Jones hit an off-balance jumper in the lane with the shot clock winding down for a 41-36 edge with 4:08 to go.
 
After the Hatters and Flames swapped baskets for a 43-38 Stetson lead, the Hatters simply made their free throws. Perry and Wheza Panzo combined to go 5 of 6 from the line in the final 17 seconds to keep Liberty at bay and seal the win.
 
"Christiaan Jones gave us a big-time effort tonight," Jones said. "Kenny Aninye, Jahlil Rawley, Terry Ivery, they're all beginning to figure out what value they bring to the team. If we can get all of those guys clicking we have a chance to do great things."
 
Perry led all scorers with 22 points and Diawara added 15 before fouling out. Jones scored just 6 points, but they all came in the second half, and his last two baskets were momentum changers.
 
James and Darius McGhee led Liberty with 12 points each.
 
Games Notes
  • Stetson has won four straight games and 5 of its last 6 overall. The 4-game winning streak is the Hatters' longest since the 2012-13 season.
  • Stetson's 5-2 conference record marks its best ASUN start since the 2012-13 team opened 6-2
  • Twelve of Stetson's 22 games have been decided by 5 points or less. The Hatters are 7-5 in those games, including 5-0 in ASUN play.
  • Rob Perry reached the 20-point mark for the sixth time this season with 22 points on Saturday
  • Stetson shot 12 of 14 from the line (.857)
  • The Hatters' 10 turnovers were their fewest in eight games
  • Stetson is now 9-0 when leading with 5 minutes to play
 
Up Next
The Hatters visit ASUN co-leader North Florida, 7 p.m., Thursday.
 
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.
 
 
 
 
Print Friendly Version