Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Stetson University Athletics

Scoreboard

Tickets, donate, shop

Sport schedule
University logo on load main University logo on scroll
Khamya McNeal 2021-22
ASunPhotos.com
64
Winner Stetson Stet 20-11,11-5 ASUN
53
North Ala. UNA 13-16,8-8 ASUN
Winner
Stetson Stet
20-11,11-5 ASUN
64
Final
53
North Ala. UNA
13-16,8-8 ASUN
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Stetson Stet 21 9 15 19 64
North Ala. UNA 12 15 16 10 53

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | Athletic Communications

Fourth Quarter Run Propels Hatters Past North Alabama 64-53

Stetson Advances to ASUN Semifinals vs. FGCU

Florence, Ala. -- Stetson won its 20th game of the season and advanced to the ASUN Conference semifinals with a 64-53 victory over North Alabama Sunday evening at Flowers Hall.

Khamya McNeal scored eight straight points during a decisive fourth quarter run to lift the Hatters (20-11) to their eighth ASUN semifinal appearance in the past 12 years.

"I thought it was a great game," Stetson head coach Lynn Bria said.  "To Missy's credit, North Alabama is way better than we played them here last time.  They've done a great job putting themselves in a really good position. I knew it would be a slugfest and it was."

Ayanna Dublin registered an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double and Yazz Wazeerud-Din added 14 points for the Hatters, who improved to 12-1 in the past 13 games.  

Stetson led by three at the break and extended the advantage to 10 midway through the third quarter.  North Alabama (13-16) stormed back, however, tying the game at 43 with 32 seconds left in the period.

"We're always focused on defense," Dublin said. "I just remember Yazz saying, 'We got this. We just have to get stops.'"

Stetson's defense stepped up, holding the Lions scoreless over the next 4-plus minutes.

Meanwhile, the Hatters offense got going as McNeal hit back-to-back 3-pointers and followed up with a driving lay-up to ignite a 12-0 Stetson run.  

"(I had) my coaches believing in me and my teammates believing in me," McNeal said. "I started out slow, and was in my head a little bit, but they kept encouraging me, and that just fueled me."

Dublin and Wazeerud-Din also scored and Tippy Robertson added a 3-pointer with 3 minutes to go to help seal the victory.

Stetson outrebounded UNA 13-6 in the final frame.

"(Khamya) hit a couple of key shots that opened up the basket for us a little bit," Bria said.  "We knew rebounding was going to be a key to the game, and I thought we rebounded and guarded better in the fourth quarter."

Dublin's double-double was her first as a Hatter and the fourth of her career. She was 8-for-11 from the floor, 2-for-2 from the free throw line and posted a +/- of +23.

The Hatters held their 19th opponent to under 60 points and improved to 17-2 in those games.  Overall, Stetson shot 38 percent from the floor and held UNA to just 32 percent shooting.

"We are not a team that scores a lot of points," Bria said.  "We know we have to keep the other team's points down.  It's a credit to our players, and their toughness, and their mental attitudes."

Stetson advances to face FGCU at 7 p.m. Wednesday night at Alico Arena.  The teams split the regular season series with the Hatters winning 58-55 in Fort Myers on Feb. 12.
 
Notes:
  • The Hatters held a 38-16 advantage in points in the paint
  • Stetson is returning to the ASUN semifinals for the first time since 2017
  • The Hatters have won 20 games eight times under head coach Lynn Bria
  • Stetson became the first ASUN team to win 30 postseason games
  • For the second straight game, Dublin went 4-for-4 for eight points in the first quarter 
  • Yazz Wazeerud-Din hit her 99th career 3-pointer
  • The Hatters improved to 8-0 against ASUN West Division teams
  • Stetson is now 15-0 when leading at the half and 18-0 when leading or tied after 3 quarters
  • The Hatters improved to 18-3 when outrebounding their opponent



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).

Get in on the conversation on social media by following Stetson Athletics on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For video content, visit our YouTube channels: Stetson Hatters, Stetson Athletics and, for live events, Hatter Vision.
 
 
Print Friendly Version