DUBLIN, Ireland – Hatter Men's Basketball fell short for the first time this season in a 66-62 loss to Niagara in Ireland's National Basketball Arena.
The contest started slow with points coming in spurts as it looked like two teams trying to find and stay in rhythm after a long trip and games on back-to-back days. Neither could build a multiple-possession advantage until NU's Aaron Gray went up 14-10 at the 11:03 mark of the first half.
Luke Brown answered 18 seconds later and one-point game. This became a trend as the first half ended with the MAAC team up, 31-29.
The tightly-contested game continued in the second half with
Wheza Panzo forcing the Hatters in front with the first SU shot of the second half, a made three [32-31] and the Purple Eagles responded 26 seconds later pushing back on top, 33-32. Stetson made a break and pushed in front by five, 38-33 after back-to-back threes from
Jalen Blackmon and
Stephan Swenson with 16:35 left. This lasted until the Purple Eagles tied it at 43 with exactly 13 minutes left. The pair of teams battled down the stretch, but with 73 seconds left, David Mitchell hit a three to extend the NU advantage to two possessions [62-58],
Luke Brown cut it to two, 64-62 with 38 seconds left, but the Hatters were unable to sink the crucial shot.
Swenson paced the Hatters with 15 points, tied for game high, with a contest topping four assists.
Josh Smith registered eight points with a team-high seven rebounds.
Aubin Gateretse [3] and
Wheza Panzo [2] combined for five Hatter blocked shots.
Stetson returns home with a week off, the next game tipping at Buies Creek, North Carolina on November 27 to face Campbell.
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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