DeLand, Fla. - The Hatters rally from down 10 in the second half to earn their first conference victory of the season over the Ospreys, 75-74. 
 
"Im really proud of our team tonight," said Head Coach Donnie Jones. "We made huge plays down the stretch to help us get the win. Stephan Swenson gave us a chance and Jalen Blackmon made the big shot when it mattered most."
 
In a close game, such as this one, there are several players to highlight. Starting with Josh Smith who returned to court after being sidelined for seven months due to an injury from last year's CBI. Stephan Swenson broke out of his shooting slump scoring 21 points going 6-12 from the field and 3-3 from beyond the arc. Aubin Gateretse logged his fifth double-double of the season Jalen Blackmon, who's shot wasn't falling in this game, hit the most important shot giving the Hatters the victory. Not only can you look to individuals but to the team as a whole. Blackmon's shot fell through the net leaving North Florida with nine seconds. The defense was able to clamp down and keep the ball out of the basket.  This game truly emphasized the resilience and determination of the team to fight back late in games. 
 
"I'm really happy for Josh Smith tonight," stated Coach Jones. "To get him back in the rotation is huge for our team and to see him play with confidence was a big step for his growth moving forward. 
 
"[Josh] came back like he never left," said Swenson. "It was unbelievable seeing his hustle, taking on the mismatch, grabbing offensive rebounds and knocking down his free throws. It's hard coming back from injury especially after seventh months. We couldn't wait to have him back."
 
The first half started with the Hatters taking an early 5-1 lead with the first five points coming from Alec Oglesby. The Hatters would continue moving the ball around holding onto the lead for the first five minutes of the game with four starts recording a bucket during that period. Finding themselves down 11-12, Josh Smith entered the game and recorded six straight points for the Hatters, before keeping the game within one possession. Cyncier Harrison came off the bench and scored eight of the Hatters next twelve points as they retook the lead. Back-to-back threes from Oglesby would push the lead for the Hatters to ten with just over five minutes left in the first half. North Florida answered with a run of their own to end the half and the Hatters went to the locker room trailing 38-39.
 
Coming out in the second half, the teams traded the lead until Stetson committed a handful of turnovers that led an Ospreys 10-0 run. Trailing 53-62, the Hatters went to work, making their way to the free throw line. Swenson went on a 7-0 of his own to help close the gap, making the score 64-67. The deficit went up to six before Blackmon found Gateretse for an alley-oop with three minutes left to make it 68-72. On the next possession Swenson hit a step back jumper cutting the deficit to two. North Florida answered with a bucket of their own. Gateretse hit both of his free throws and the Hatters attacked on defense forcing a turnover on a shot clock violation. Stetson missed their next shot, but the defense was up to the task again forcing another shot clock violation. Trailing 73-74, the Hatters had 24 seconds to work their offense and find an open man. That man was Jalen Blackmon. He dribbled through the defense and pulled up on a midrange jumper, finding nothing but net to give the Hatters a 75-74 lead. Nine seconds glowed bright yellow on the game clock. The Ospreys got the ball to Chaz Lanier and his shot hit off the rim as time expired. The crowd roared for the Green and White as the teams shook hands. The Hatters left the court with a tremendous team win in their conference opener. 
 
"We know we are entering a new season when we begin conference play," said Swenson. "It was a crazy [game}, and before the game we talked about how North Florida likes to shoot the three. Our emphasis was to take away the three-point line and we did a great job doing so in the last four minutes of the game."
 
Swenson led the team with 21 points while also tallying four rebounds, two assists and steal. He shot 60% from the field, and 100% from beyond the arc and from the free throw line. Gateretse was the team leader in rebounds grabbing 13 while also tallying 10 points and two blocks. Smith in his return to action tallied 9 points, 4 rebounds and a block. 
As a team the Hatters shot 43.6% from the field and 38.1% from three. They also went 19-20 from the free throw line. Stetson outrebounded North Florida 35-31 and allowed only 11 second chance points. They also had more points on turnovers and bench points than the Ospreys.
 
The Hatters will look to go 2-0 in conference play Saturday, Jan 6 as they welcome Jacksonville to town. That game will tip-off at 2pm in the Edmunds Center.