LAS VEGAS – After making up an eight-point deficit to tie the game, Stetson fell short of UC San Diego, 53-48, Saturday afternoon in the Cox Pavilion.
The Hatters could not have started worse, going into the first media break without a point, trailing 9-0 to San Diego. Stetson kicked into gear and overpowered the Tritons, outscoring the opposition 29-16 to take a four-point lead into the break for halftime [29-25]. SU feasted on turnovers, scoring 17 points off turnovers in the first half.
Alyssa Hargrove started the scoring with the first points for Stetson coming from behind the arc. Jaelyn Talley and
Kiya Turner rounded out the first quarter scoring.
San Diego struck back in the third quarter as the Hatter shooting went cold, and SD outscored SU 14-9 in third frame, taking a one-point advantage into the fourth quarter [39-38]. The Tritons heated up starting the fourth quarter and looked to be cruising to a victory after a three on their first possession, then four made free throws extended Stetson's deficit to eight, 46-38 with 6:13 left.
The Hatters answered the bell and collected themselves before going on a 10-2 run to tie the game up at 48 with 103 seconds left. Similar to the run in the first half, the Hatters sprang to life after seeing a three go in, this time by
Khamya McNeal. San Diego notched a couple free throws of their own in response, but Talley sank a couple free throws on the other end before Anabel Ellison knocked down a three to get the advantage down to two, 48-46. After a stop and rebound for Talley, the freshman tied the game with a jump shot, with the aforementioned 1:43 left.
Stetson got the stop they needed when San Diego's Junae Mahan turned the ball over with an offensive foul, but that's when the momentum stopped for the Hatters. Two missed free throws, and a three from SD on the other end put SU down three with 52 seconds on the clock. Stetson had time for a two-for-one and opted to try for a quick layup but missed. Forced to foul after that, the Tritons extended the advantage to five before time ran out for SU.
Talley paced the Hatters with a game-high 17 points and eight boards. Hargrove also hit double figures with 11 points, three rebounds and an assist. Turner had seven points with eight rebounds. Stetson forced 23 San Diego turnovers, while surrendering 19, but were just not hitting from the field enough in the critical moments.
The Hatters play one more in Las Vegas on Sunday at noon against UAlbany in the Cox Pavilion.
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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