Box Score Fort Myers, Fla.- Stetson fell to Florida Gulf Coast Saturday evening 56-80.
 
The Hatters fell behind early down 0-9 before Jalen Blackmon hit a three to give them their first bucket. Stetson couldn't close the gap any lower than six as Blackmon scored 12 in the first half. The Hatters would go into the locker room trailing 27-41 despite shooting 43.5% from the field and 36.4% from three.
 
The second half started the same way for Stetson as they gave up a 7-0 run before Head Coach Donnie Jones called a timeout. Josh Smith eventually broke the Eagles' run with a layup making it 29-48. The highlight play for the Hatters in the game was a block at one end by Aubin Gateretse which he followed with a putback dunk on the other end of the floor. Stetson couldn't find the bottom of the basket as the deficit grew. With 1:44 left in the games Coach Jones brought in his bench depth and Alex Doyle showed his length with two blocks in a row. The final score was 56-80.
 
Stetson ended the night shooting 37.7% from the field, 28% from beyond the arc and 56% from the free throw line. The numbers show an uncharacteristic shooting night but also the tough defense that the Hatters went up against. 
 
Blackmon led the team in scoring putting up 17 points while going 5-13 from the field, 3-5 from three and 4-4 from the line. Alec Oglesby was the only other Hatter in double figures with 11 points. He also tied Smith for a team lead in rebounds with six. 
 
Stetson will look to rebound on Thursday, Jan. 25 as they host Austin Peay. That game is presented by Tijuana Flats and tip-off is set for 7pm.