Women's Basketball December 05, 2021 Athletic Communications

Hatters Off to a Good Start: 5 Early Season Successes

Stetson Back Home Monday to Host Florida National

Stetson (5-3) vs. Florida National (1-7)
Day \| Time	Monday \| 5:00 p.m.
Location	Edmunds Center, DeLand, Fla.
Tickets	Tickets
Stetson Toy Drive	Bring a toy to donate
Video Stream	ESPN+
Live Stats	Live Stats
Notes	Game Notes (PDF)
Social Media	Twitter \| Instagram \| Facebook

When the Hatters embarked on their seven-game road swing back on Nov. 14, they saw the stretch as an opportunity to get some time and reps playing together, an opportunity to bond and grow as a team, and an opportunity to compete against several quality opponents.

What the results would yield in terms of wins and losses was anyone's guess.

Stetson bounced back from an 0-2 start to win four of the next five, thanks to Saturday's 67-58 victory at Furman.

Coupled with the season-opening victory at home over Johnson University, the Hatters hit the season's quarter pole with a 5-3 record.

"I am happy with that," Stetson head coach Lynn Bria said about the team's performance on the road. "It's a hard thing to do. I give our kids a lot of credit. It's going to be great to be back home and finally play at the Edmunds Center."

With the Hatters off to their best start in five seasons, here are five more reasons for optimism heading into the second quarter of the season.

1. Winning close games.
While the Hatters often try to simulate late-game scenarios during practice, nothing substitutes for the stresses of playing with the game on the line. Five of the past six contests have been decided down the stretch, with the Hatters closing out close games against Manhattan, Saint Joseph's and Furman. The team is learning some good lessons while gaining confidence playing and winning these tight games.

2. Rebounding. Rebounding. Rebounding.
After finishing last in the ASUN in rebounding last season, the Hatters brought in several newcomers to help crash the boards. Transfers Tatiana Streun, Ayanna Dublin and Mali Morgan-Elliott have provided a big boost in that area so far. Streun is averaging 7.4 rpg, good for eighth in the ASUN, while Morgan-Elliott (4.9 rpg) and Dublin (4.4 rpg) bring the trio's combined rebounding average to 16.7 rpg. Returning veterans Jamiya Turner and Kiya Turner are also chipping in 4.5 boards per game. As a team, Stetson is averaging 37.8 rpg, good for sixth in the league. More importantly, the Hatters are 5-1 when outrebounding their opponent, which they have done in five consecutive games.

3. Big D.
One of the team's biggest accomplishments has been the play of the defense. Stetson ranks 15th in the NCAA in scoring defense with an average of just 51.0 points allowed-per-game. Old Dominion has been the only opponent this season to crack 60 points, and the Monarchs did not do so until late in the fourth quarter. Despite not having a premier shot blocker for the first time in a decade, the Hatters are consistently getting the job done on the defensive end, and it has truly been a team effort. Freshman Alyssa Hargrove currently leads the team with 16 steals.

4. Yazz Stepping Up.
Senior Yazz Wazeerud-Din has been a consistent threat on offense, scoring in double figures in each of her seven games this season. She ranks fourth in the league in scoring (16.0 ppg), and leads the team in 3-point shooting (.385) as well as minutes played (34.4). Her clutch perimeter shooting in fourth-quarter efforts against Manhattan and Saint Joseph's helped Stetson nail down those two victories. Wazeerud-Din is playing with a lot of confidence, and the Hatters have a lot of confidence in her.

5. More Home Games Ahead.
Having successfully completed the seven-game stretch on the road, the Hatters will have a home-friendly schedule the rest of December with five of the next seven contests coming at the Edmunds Center. That includes Monday's game against Florida National, Hatter Classic games vs. VCU and Tennessee State on Dec. 17 and 19, and a holiday matinee vs. Flagler College on Dec. 31. Stetson will also open up ASUN play at home against Liberty on Jan. 5.

The Hatters will also travel to face Holy Cross and USF next week.

First things first as Stetson will host Florida National at 5 p.m. Monday night at the Edmunds Center. Tickets start at just $7 for general admission. Stetson students, faculty, and staff are admitted free with ID. Fans are asked to bring and donate a new toy for FFT-Helping Others.

The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Stetson is 1-0 all-time vs. Florida National, having posted an 80-37 victory in 2019.

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Players Mentioned

#4 Jamiya Turner: G; 5' 9"; Junior

#5 Kiya Turner: G; 5' 6"; Junior

#13 Yazz Wazeerud-Din: G; 5' 11"; Senior

#2 Alyssa Hargrove: G; 5' 9"; Freshman

#12 Ayanna Dublin: F; 5' 10"; Graduate Student

#14 Mali Morgan-Elliott: F; 5' 11"; Junior

#24 Tatiana Streun: F; 6' 0"; Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

#4 Jamiya Turner
: 5' 9"; Junior
: G

#5 Kiya Turner
: 5' 6"; Junior
: G

#13 Yazz Wazeerud-Din
: 5' 11"; Senior
: G

#2 Alyssa Hargrove
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: G

#12 Ayanna Dublin
: 5' 10"; Graduate Student
: F

#14 Mali Morgan-Elliott
: 5' 11"; Junior
: F

#24 Tatiana Streun
: 6' 0"; Graduate Student
: F

Stetson University Athletics

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Hatters Off to a Good Start: 5 Early Season Successes

Stetson Back Home Monday to Host Florida National

Players Mentioned

#4 Jamiya Turner

#5 Kiya Turner

#13 Yazz Wazeerud-Din

#2 Alyssa Hargrove

#12 Ayanna Dublin

#14 Mali Morgan-Elliott

#24 Tatiana Streun

Players Mentioned

#4 Jamiya Turner

#5 Kiya Turner

#13 Yazz Wazeerud-Din

#2 Alyssa Hargrove

#12 Ayanna Dublin

#14 Mali Morgan-Elliott

#24 Tatiana Streun