DELAND, Fla – Stetson's two previous losses did not shake the team's confidence, as they displayed passion and drive to defeat Jacksonville State University, 87-81, Saturday afternoon in the Edmunds Center. Throughout the game, Stetson honored all members of past and present of the armed forces as part of Military Appreciation Day.
 
"We got off to a good start which was a key, different than Thursday night so I was pleased with that," head coach Donnie Jones said "In this league, you can't rest on any lead up or down. They are a good team [JSU]; this team won our league last year, they fought back and are really talented. I am really happy we made free throws down the stretch, that was big. We led from start to finish which is really difficult to do. We had three big guys get in foul trouble. Mo [Mahamadou Diawara] came in and gave us good minutes when he came in. We need to get Josh [Smith] more established; he got in foul trouble in both nights [this weekend] here with guys going at him. The good news is we have four or five days of practice here. We have a lot of things to work on but other than I thought it was a good team effort."
 
Stetson (11-8, 6-2 ASUN) snapped a two-game skid. Jacksonville State (8-13, 1-7 ASUN) has now lost its last three games in the ASUN against Jacksonville, FGCU and now Stetson.
 
Jalen Blackmon wasted no time putting his team on top with a three to open the scoring 15 seconds into the game. Stetson sprinted out in front 31-9 at the 10:34 mark off a fastbreak layup made by Luke Brown. Blackmon scored 17 points in the first half, going 6-of-7 for field goals with 3-4 from behind the arc. Despite the early advantage, JSU chipped away at the margin with the Hatters still holding a double-digit lead, 54-43, at the break.
 
"We lost an emotional game Thursday and coach was preaching 'fast start'. Everybody came out focused and we got up on them early," sophomore guard Jalen Blackmon said about the Hatters early success.
 
Both defenses adjusted at the break and as evidenced by shooting percentages, both teams significantly lower, the high-flying game in the first half turned into a defensive grind in the second. The Gamecocks were kept in check with Stetson floating around a 10-point advantage for over 16 minutes of the second half until JSU's Skyelar Potter hit a three at the 3:19 mark of the second half, cutting the advantage to seven, 76-69. After Peyton Daniels went 1-of-2 at the line [76-70, 2:14 left] it appeared as if the Hatters may get pulled into a more contested finale.
 
SU responded with one defensive stop, Panzo collecting a defensive rebound, the next series Mahamadou Diawara cleared the boards as Jacksonville State was turned away again with roughly a minute coming off the clock. With 65 seconds left and still down two possessions, JSU was forced to foul. With made free throws at one end, a few stops, the Hats held on 87-81.
 
"Steph has been our leader as of late," Blackmon said highlighting player the point guard's performance "He gets everybody involved and it has been great playing with him and learning the spots he likes to be in, the spots I like him in."
 
Blackmon eclipsed 20 points scored for the second consecutive game with 25 tonight. Swenson [17], Panzo [16] and Brown [11] rounded out the Hatter double-digit scorers. Stephan Swenson was a vital playmaker with crucial free throw makes and putting up a game-high seven assists. As a team, the Hatters assisted 16-of-26 made field goals with 24 points from the free-throw line. Stetson never trailed for the third time in league play, all three happening at the Edmunds Center.
 
"We need to keep doing what we're doing in practice," Blackmon concluded about hot to carry the momentum forward. "We work hard every day, just need to keep coming out and put it on them in the first four minutes then keep the same energy up."
 
The Hats travel to Lynchburg, VA to take on Liberty Thursday, January 26th for a 7:00PM tip at Liberty Arena. The contest will also be streamed on ESPN +.

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.