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Rob Perry
65
Winner Stetson Stet 13-12,7-3 ASUN
62
FGCU FGCU 7-18,4-6 ASUN
Winner
Stetson Stet
13-12,7-3 ASUN
65
Final
62
FGCU FGCU
7-18,4-6 ASUN
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Stetson Stet 30 35 65
FGCU FGCU 25 37 62

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Athletic Communications

Hatters Keep Pace in ASUN Race with 65-62 Win at FGCU

FORT MYERS, Fla.--Stetson's Rob Perry scored a game-high 24 points and fellow freshman Mahamadou Diawara had 14 points and 7 rebounds as the Hatters edged ASUN Conference rival FGCU, 65-62, Thursday at Alico Arena.
 
The win helped Stetson (13-12 overall, 7-3 ASUN) remain one game behind conference co-leaders Liberty and North Florida, who each won on the road Thursday. It's Stetson's first win in Fort Myers since 2012.
 
"This is a great group of kids," Stetson head coach Donnie Jones said. "They dance after every win, they like to have fun and, obviously, winning is fun. These guys are starting to buy into each other, starting to trust and care about each other, and we're really growing as a team."
 
Perry was 6 of 12 from the field, including 4 of 5 on 3-pointers. The freshman also made all eight of his free throws, including a pair with 12 seconds to play which provided the final margin.
 
While Perry guided the offense, Wheza Panzo once again came through down the stretch. One game after scoring eight points in the final 3:05 in a win at Lipscomb, Panzo buried a pair of momentum-changing 3-pointers late in the game Thursday.
 
With FGCU rallying to within 52-48 on a Caleb Catto 3-pointer, Panzo answered with a trey from the wing on Stetson's next possession to give the Hatters some breathing room at 55-48 with 7:38 left.
 
Panzo again halted an Eagles rally with another three-pointer with 1:54 to go, giving Stetson a 62-54 advantage.
 
"Wheza has kind of been our glue guy," Jones said. "He does a lot of little things that don't always show up on the stat sheet. He's made some big shots for us in the past and he did it again tonight."
 
Stetson led 30-25 at halftime after Perry drained a 30-footer that just beat the shot clock. Stetson led by as many as 9 points in the first half before losing the lead, and ultimately closing the half on a 6-0 run.
 
As they have throughout much of the season, Stetson controlled the tempo with a deliberate offense and a stifling defense. While FGCU shot 52 percent in the second half, the Eagles made just 5 of their last 13 field goal attempts, with only three coming in the game's final 8:52.
 
Zach Scott led FGCU with 16 points.
 
Game Notes
  • The Hatters had lost their last 10 games in Alico Arena, dating back to an 86-80 win on Feb. 17, 2012
  • Thursday's was the 9th time this season Stetson won a game by 5 or fewer points, tops in the nation. Seven of those wins are in ASUN play.
  • Stetson is now 7-6 in true road games this season, and 8-7 including neutral site games
  • Rob Perry reached the 20-point mark for the 7th time this season, and the second time against FGCU. In two games against the Eagles, Perry is averaging 25.5 points per game.
  • Stetson entered the game shooting 64.3 percent from the free throw on the season. The Hatters were 14 of 18 from the stripe on Thursday.
 
Up Next
The Hatters don't return to action until next Thursday, Feb. 13, when they host North Alabama at 7 p.m.
 
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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