CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In the first meeting between the pair of programs, Stetson fell to ASUN-newcomer Queens, 71-65, Saturday afternoon in Curry Arena.
Despite the loss, Stetson (11-10, 6-4 ASUN) remains fourth in the ASUN, a single game behind Eastern Kentucky. Queens (15-8, 5-5 ASUN) is the top of a five-way tie for fifth in the conference standings.
A back-and-forth opening segment saw the home side go up by scoring the first four of the game in the first 46 seconds before the Hatters answered, first with a three from
Stephan Swenson at the 16:56 mark. SU scored the next seven to go up 10-4 before the Royals bounced back. Stetson kept Queens at bay until a streak of scoring tied the contest at 18. Stetson scored 13 of the final 20 points of the half to build a six point advantage, 31-25, after the first 20 minutes.
Stetson maintained the advantage for six minutes until Queens pushed back in front 41-40 when Jay'den Turner connected on a jumper with 13:34 left. The see-saw game continued as neither side could build more than a two-possession lead until Kalib Mathews made a layup with 3:10 remaining, pushing Queens' advantage to seven, 62-55. The next basket pushed it to nine [64-55] with two minutes two seconds on the clock.
Stetson started forcing its way back into the game as Swenson connected on a pair of free throws.
Wheza Panzo created a turnover which resulted in a fastbreak three from Swenson cutting the deficit to four, 64-60. After a bucket from Queens, Swenson notched another three, getting the contest down to a single possession [66-63] with 32 seconds left.
Needing to create more time, the Hatters fouled, forcing the home side to convert free throws to keep the advantage. Queens converted three-of-four in the final half minute and were able to hang on to beat the Hatters 71-65.
Four Hats posted double-digit scoring nights, paced by
Jalen Blackmon with 14. Swenson chipped in with 11,
Josh Smith notched 10 points and rebounds for a double-double, while Alec Olgesby put in 10 off the bench.
The Hatters begin an eight-game stretch with every game taking place in the Sunshine State. This weekend will feature a pair of home games as North Alabama [Thursday at 7 p.m.] and Central Arkansas [Saturday at 2 p.m.] make their way to the Edmunds Center. Saturday's game against UCA will be the Coaches Against Cancer Game, follow Stetson social media for more details in the upcoming days. Both games will also stream 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).
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