Hatters, Flames Set for ASUN Semifinals

Kenny Aninye and the rest of the Stetson Hatters survived an upset bid from North Alabama in the ASUN Tournament quarterfinals on Tuesday. Now the Hatters face top seeded Liberty, 7 p.m., Thursday, in Lynchburg, Va., as Stetson looks to advance to the ASUN championship game.

The Hatters (16-16) turned in an inspired performance on Tuesday behind the scoring of Aninye, who pumped in a career-high 21 points as the fourth-seeded Hatters took down the fifth-seeded Lion, 82-72, in DeLand. Aninye was one of five Hatters in double figures, and his 7 for 7 night at the free throw line was part of larger 25 of 26 team effort at the stripe.

Stetson's task figures to be much more difficult on Thursday. The top-seeded Flames (28-4) have won 21 straight at home, including a 55-49 victory against eighth-seeded NJIT on Tuesday.

Stetson and Liberty split a pair of games this season, with each team winning on its home court. Stetson took a 48-43 decision on Jan. 25 in DeLand, while the Flames exacted revenge with a 77-49 win on Feb. 22 in Lynchburg.

The winner of Thursday's semifinal game advances to the ASUN championship game, 3 p.m., Sunday.

Game Notes
•This is Stetson's 26th appearance all-time in the ASUN Tournament, tops among current league members
•Stetson last won an ASUN semifinal game in 2016 when the Hatters defeated Lipscomb, 96-75, on March 3, 2016.
•Thursday marks Stetson's ninth appearance in the ASUN Tournament semifinals. The others came in 1987, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2001, 2006, 2013, and 2016.
•Stetson is the No. 4 seed for the tournament after finishing tied for third with Lipscomb. Despite splitting with the Bisons, Stetson lost the tiebreaker due to NCAA NET rankings.
•Jahlil Rawley needs 2 steals to become the first Hatter in 9 years with 50 in a single season (56, Corey Walden, 2011)
•The Hatters placed five players in double figures on Tuesday, the first time that's happened since Feb. 2, 2019 against Kennesaw State

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

#10 Kenny Aninye: G; 6' 1"; Junior

#4 Jahlil Rawley: G; 6' 4"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#10 Kenny Aninye
: 6' 1"; Junior
: G

#4 Jahlil Rawley
: 6' 4"; Senior
: G

Stetson University Athletics

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Hatters, Flames Set for ASUN Semifinals

Players Mentioned

#10 Kenny Aninye

#4 Jahlil Rawley

Players Mentioned

#10 Kenny Aninye

#4 Jahlil Rawley