HIGH POINT, NC - Stetson Hatters women's basketball traveled to the Tar Heel State on Tuesday night to finish their road trip with a game against the High Point Panthers. The Hatters nearly erased a 19-point deficit as they fell 54-59 to the Panthers at the Quebin Center, bringing their season record to 0-3 now.

The game opened as a gritty affair, with High Point taking an early lead with a pair of free throws. Jaelyn Talley quickly responded for the Hatters, tying the score with a putback and a successful free throw on the and-1 attempt. However, the Panthers then embarked on a 20-3 run, establishing a 8-25 deficit

Jamiya Turner kickstarted the second quarter with a basket for Stetson. Despite High Point extending their lead to 10-29, the Hatters, led by Jordan Peete, launched a commendable 12-2 run, cutting the deficit to nine. Peete and Khamya McNeal's three-pointers played a crucial role in the comeback effort

The Panthers briefly halted the Hatters' resurgence with a three-pointer, but Turner responded with four consecutive points, reducing the gap to eight. However, High Point managed to score just before halftime as Stetson last-second layup attempt would not fall.

After outscoring the Panthers 18-11 in the second quarter, the Hatters continued to have the hot hand as they scored the first four points of the closing half, with points coming from Talley and Treadwell. Despite three straight offensive rebounds from Treadwell, the next Hatters basket wouldn't come until 5:29 left in the third as Peete knocked down a pair of free throws.

High Point jumped back out to a 15-point lead but Stetson answered with shots from newcomer Tyra Myers and freshman Sophia Fontaine. After both teams traded a pair of free throws, Turner made it a 10 point game after converting the and-1 opportunity which began with an assist from Diawna Carter-Hartley. The freshman forward then made a last-second basket after grabbing an offensive rebound, cutting the deficit to eight heading into the final quarter.

Turner continued her stellar play in the fourth quarter, making a jumper from the high post and converting an and-1 opportunity, reducing the margin to five points. After High Point scored with a little over 8 minutes left, it would be nearly three minutes until another basket, as Talley sank a pair of shots at the line.

Turner then hit a contested shot in the paint to make it a one-possession game. However, High Point responded with a three-pointer after the Hatters had just cut it to just three points.

McNeal quickly answered with a tough finish on the up and under layup in the low post. High Point reclaimed a two-possession lead before Turner buried a jumper from the elbow to make it a four point game. 

Despite their valiant efforts, Stetson fell short, succumbing to a 54-59 loss. Turner led the team with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Talley added nine points and 14 rebounds, 12 of which came on the offensive end.

Treadwell's standout performance included an astounding 21 rebounds, tying for the second-most in a game in program history and contributing to a program-record 64 team rebounds. The last Hatter to grab 21 rebounds in a game was Kristy Brown on Jan. 29, 2005. The Hatters excelled in the paint, scoring 32 points, and capitalized on 25 second-chance opportunities.

While the team forced 21 turnovers, they struggled to convert them into points, managing only 11 off turnovers. Stetson collectively shot 18 of 83 from the field and two of 21 from beyond the arc but displayed efficiency at the free-throw line, hitting 80% (16 of 20).

Looking ahead, the Hatters aim to rebound in their home-opener against Iona on Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Edmunds Center. Tip-off for the Alzheimer's Awareness game is set for 3:00 PM.
 

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.

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