DUBLIN, Ireland – For the first time since the 2000-01 season, the Stetson Hatters are 3-0 after defeating Rider, 78-68, as part of the ASUN/MAAC Challenge in Ireland's National Basketball Arena.
"This was a great Rider team, five seniors, veteran team and we knew it was going to be a battle right to the very end, so I just love that we hung in there," head coach
Donnie Jones said "We missed some free throws and non-finishes, but we'll get better at that, and I am just really proud of the win. Every game and every situation requires a newer, better you. I told Luke [Brown] there's going to be games where people are guarding you that is going to open up for other people, we focused on the inside today."
The Hatters started slowly, not scoring a point until two minutes seven seconds in, but picked up momentum quickly, taking the lead 32 seconds after that. The game went back and forth before Stetson collectively pushed in front following a free throw from
Alec Oglesby [16-15]. The Hatters grew the advantage to double figures to close out the first frame, 37-27.
With a hot start to the second half back-to-back-to-back field goals pushed ahead by 16, 44-28, with 18:04 left, prompting a timeout from the Broncs. SU held the margin for a couple minutes but the MAAC squad got within five, 60-55, at the 7:00 mark. A strong second-half showing from
Wheza Panzo kept the Hatters in front after three consecutive threes matched Rider's offense before building the advantage to eight, 69-61 with 3:31 left. Despite some missed free throws and field goals, the Hatters avoided trouble and held on for the 10-point win, 78-68.
Panzo paced the Hatters with 15 points on 5-of-6 shooting from behind the arc.
Stephan Swenson was a menace to the Broncs with 13 points, nine assists, four rebounds and two steals. The guard earned eight free throws, connecting on six.
Jalen Blackmon also hit double figures with 10.
Mahamadou Diawara collected seven rebounds, three on the offensive end, with eight points.
The Hatters face one more opponent in Europe, Niagara tomorrow at 1 p.m. from the Dublin National Basketball Arena.
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 (PDF).
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