DeLand, Fla. -- The Stetson University men's basketball team returns home for the first of three in a row in the Edmunds Center as the Hatters host the Ohio University Bobcats. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. and can be streamed on ESPN+.
Recap
The Hatters come off their third straight loss as Stetson fell 72-65 to Florida International back on Dec. 4. Mahamdou Diawara put up double-digit points for the second game in a row as the junior led Hatters scorers with 12 and added seven rebounds. Freshman Alvin Tumblin tallied his first double-digit scoring effort of his career as he finished with 10 points, going 5-for-6 from the field. Christiaan Jones added 10 points of his own and Rob Perry brought down nine boards.
Scouting the Bobcats
Ohio enters Saturday's contest coming off a two-game stretch in which the Bobcats went 1-1. Ohio fell 66-51 to LSU back on Dec. 1 but rebounded and topped Saint Francis 78-75 on Dec. 4.
The Bobcats offense is led by Mark Sears' 16.6 points per game. Sears is shooting 44 percent from the field with a 47.8 3-point percentage (11-for-23). Behind Sears, Ben Vander Plas is shooting just under 50 percent from the field (48.9%) and 42.6 percent from beyond the arc (20-for-47). Jason Carter and Vander Plas lead the Bobcats under the basket averaging 7.5 and 6.4 rebounds per game, respectively.
All-Time Series
Saturday's game will be the second all-time meeting between the Hatters and the Bobcats as Stetson and Ohio met once before back on Dec. 2, 1978. The Bobcats took that meeting 98-95. The Hatters look to get in the win column against Ohio on Saturday.
Hatters Keys to Success
The Hatters live and die by 3-point field goals as Stetson has shot 10 more than their opponents but connected on six less. The Hatters are shooting 30.7 percent from beyond the arc (51-for-166). Look for a big game from Stetson's perennial 3-point threats in Chase Johnston (20-for-53) and Rob Perry (11-for-41).
Over his last two games, Diawara has led the Hatters in scoring as the junior tallied 30 total points and added 13 total rebounds in only 34 combined minutes. The Hatters are starting to see the 2020-21 version of Diawara that Stetson has grown accustomed to.
Freshman Tasos Cook has provided a spark off the bench for the Hatters. In Stetson's game against FIU, the Westerville, Ohio native recorded five points, going 2-for-2 from the field, including his first career triple, and added two steals.
Looking Ahead
Saturday's game begins a three-game homestand for Stetson. After the Hatters face the Bobcats, Stetson plays host to Johnson University on Monday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. and then faces College of Charleston on Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+.
About Stetson University Athletics: Stetson University's Athletics Program is driven by a shared purpose. It is what inspires, motivates and binds us together. More than a task, a reason for being. THE HATTER PURPOSE is to create and provide an experience of a lifetime through teamwork and relationships to achieve excellence. This purpose is achieved through five Core Values: Communication, Integrity, Excellence, Value People and Commitment. To learn more about the HATS program and our Core Values, visit GoHatters.com/HATS.
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