DELAND, Fla. – Eighteen from sophomore guard
Jalen Blackmon paced the Hatters as they defeated Johnson (Fl.), 125-51, Tuesday night in the Edmunds Center.
Stetson (4-2, 0-0 ASUN) bounces back from a two-game skid. Johnson (Fl.) (0-5) played the game as an exhibition and will not take an official result from the contest.
In a season that has already seen multiple decades old streaks come to an end, the Hatters immediately hit some history tonight, as there is no recorded history of having eight players in double figures; the possibility exists, but no records indicate such an event that could be located on hand. The second is this is officially the largest margin of victory in program history with 74 points separating the sides. This shatters the old mark of 68 set on January 26, 1942, 85-17 win over Tampa. The 52 field goals set a new program record, besting the previous mark of 51 that had been put up three times, most recently in 1991 against St. Leo. The Hats fell one assist short of tying the All-time mark of 30. Stetson came a bucket away from the most points in a half, putting up 71 in the second frame, falling just two points shy of the record 73.
As of this release the 52 made field goals is tied for third in a game this season with four other programs in the NCAA division one. Of the two above, Sam Houston made 53 on November 10, and Bryant made 55 on November 7.
This lopsided win started out relatively even. The Hats did not grow the advantage to double figures until
Josh Smith hit a jumper in the paint to make the score 18-8 with 10:52 reading on the first-half clock. SU pushed the number from there, growing it to a 20-point advantage when
Wheza Panzo sank a three, from
Stephan Swenson, pushing the Hatter lead to 21, 34-13, four minutes and 40 seconds later.
Alvin Tumblin knocked down a jumper in the paint with 19 seconds remain in the half to put up the halftime mark of 53-26.
Stetson started the second half on an 11-0 run, due in part to causing turnovers with fast-break uncontested layups on the back end. By the 11:42 mark,
Alec Oglesby nailed a three from
Giancarlo Valdez to go up by over 50, 85-33. Four minutes and change later, Valdez knocked down a three from
Aubin Gateretse to push the Hatters into triple digits, 102-40. The advantage swelled to 74 before the final horn sounded, putting an end to the game, 125-51.
The score line is eye popping and the amount in double figures is noticeable but the spreading of the ball for eight players to get into double digits is noticeable. Blackmon,
Josh Smith,
Cyncier Harrison, Valdez, Oglesby, Gateretse, Tumblin and
Mahamadou Diawara all scored 10 or more. Harrison scored 15 with 11 assists on the night, the latter number a team high for the season. Gateretse's 13 rebounds takes the same honors.
The difficulty is about to take a significant jump as the Hatters face the Florida Gators next. That game will take place Sunday at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center with tipoff scheduled for 2 p.m.
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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