Stetson defeated Charlotte Friday night, 79-75, giving the Hatters their most non-conference wins in a season since 2018-2019. They still have one non-conference game left to play against Chicago State to better that record.

"Anytime you can get a win going into conference play its really good for your program," said Head Coach Donnie Jones.
 
The Hatters trailed through most of the first half, with the deficit reaching 10. That's when Stetson's defense stepped up creating good opportunities on the defensive end. With the score 15-25, Treyton Thompson would block a 49er shot and Alec Oglesby would reward him by draining a three. On the next possession Alex Doyle would hit a three closing out an 8-0 run by the Hatters making it 21-25. Jalen Blackmon and Doyle would each hit threes working to keep Charlotte from gaining much momentum. Right before halftime Blackmon would force a turnover and take up the court and hit a layup to cut the deficit to three. The 49ers would hit a basket before the half as the Hatters trailed 36-41.
 
After Charlotte hit a three to start the second half Blackmon would immediately answer with one of his own. Stephan Swenson would create a steal leading to a layup from Oglesby to make it 41-44. The 49ers would give themselves a little bit of space before the Hatters would claw back again. Blackmon contributed five points in Stetson's 7-0 run, making it 48-50. Charlotte, once again tried to pull away but the Hatters would reel them back in. Down 56-63, Blackmon and Swenson each chipped in five on the 10-2 run that brought Stetson within one. On the next possession Oglesby would hit nylon from beyond the arc to tie the game at 67. That was the first time the game was tied since the score was 2-2. Charlotte would retake the lead 67-70 before Aubin Gateretse drew a foul and hit both free throws making it 69-70. The 49ers scored a basket after two offensive rebounds before once again Oglesby hit a clutch three to tie the game at 72.  Just over a minute later, Thompson would snag an offensive rebound, his ninth of the game, and Blackmon added to more points to his total on a layup as the Hatters took their first lead of the game 74-72. On the 49ers next possession, they missed a shot and Thompson would snag his tenth rebound of the game before finding Blackmon, who finished on his driving and-1 layup. With the free throw, the Hatters now held a 77-72 lead. Charlotte would close in making it 77-75. Thompson would once again step up, defending Patterson and forcing him to miss. Swenson came up with the ball and Charlotte had to foul hoping he would miss. That would not be the case as he hit both free throws giving the Hatters a 79-75 victory. 

"We mixed up our defense in the second half and by doing so we were able to get some stops leading to points on the offensive end of the floor," said Coach Jones.  
 
Stetson shot 50.9% from the field and 37% from beyond the arc. They also improved their NCAA leading free throw percentage, going 11-11 from the line. The Hatters only had the for 3:13 but that was all they needed to get the win. Stetson made six steals and forced three other turnovers, turning it into 10 points. Both teams leaned heavily on their starts as the Hatters registered 9 bench points and the 49ers, 11. 
 
Blackmon scored a career high 34 points while shooting 14-25 from the field, 4-11 beyond the arc and 2-2 at the free throw line. He also tallied three rebounds, three assists and a steal. Oglesby finished second on the team in points, totaling 17 while shooting 7-11 from the field, and 3-7 from three. Thompson registered a career high 10 rebounds, of which two were offensive, and lead directly to Hatters' second chance points. He also added two points, an assist, a block and two steals to his numbers. 
 
Stetson will look to carry this momentum into the beginning of the conference schedule. They will host North Florida on Thursday, Jan. 4 at 7pm.