RICHMOND, Ky. – Stetson women's basketball struggled and fell to Eastern Kentucky, 80-69, Thursday night in Baptist Health Arena.
In the first ASUN road trip of the year, Stetson (7-8, 1-1 ASUN) faced the Colonels who are on a five-game win streak and a seven-game home win streak. Eastern Kentucky (9-6, 2-0 ASUN) remains undefeated in league play.
 
After two lead changes in the first three baskets, a free throw then two jumpers, EKU immediately jumped into gear, jumping in front 11-2 three minutes 39 seconds into the contest. Jamiya Turner made her return to the Hatter squad as she ended the Colonel scoring run with a put-back layup. Anabel Ellison knocked down a jumper on the next trip down the floor and J. Turner completed a 6-0 run to pull within three, 11-8. The home team responded in kind with a 7-0 run to establish a margin in double figures [18-8] with 1:34 on the clock. Each team added two more before the quarter ended, 20-10.
 
While the Hatters improved in the second quarter EKU still stretched the advantage to 14, 38-24 at the half. Despite Stetson's offense starting to hum to life, EKU's offense held SU at bay. The Hats started the quarter with an 8-2 run over the first 2:15 cutting the deficit to eight, 40-32. The home side hit back-to-back threes in response, reestablishing the two-digit advantage [46-32]. As the Hats chipped the lead down again, the Colonels' offense spun up again, and EKU stretched the advantage to 19 on two different occasions before the quarter ended.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Hatters cut the deficit to 10, 63-53, 116 seconds into the frame. Eastern Kentucky pushed back stretching the advantage to 23 [80-57] with 2:56 remaining, the largest of the game, but that was also the last point scored by the home side. Stetson made up ground, but the 12-0 run was not enough as the Hats fell 80-69.
 
Ellison paced the Hatters with 15 points, a season high for the junior. Sydney Gouard paced the team in rebounds [6] for the fourth time this year, all four time within the last six games including all three wins.
 
The Hatters will now head South to the Volunteer State to face Austin Peay. The Governors and Hatters will tip at 3 p.m. (2 p.m. local time) at the Winfield Dunn Center. The game will 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.