DeLAND, FL – Cameron Thomas continued her scorching start to her Stetson career, leading the Hatters to a 75-63 victory over the Florida Atlantic Owls on Tuesday night. The junior guard set a new season-high with 27 points, shooting 11-of-18 from the field, as Stetson remained unbeaten at home to begin the 2024-25 season. Thomas scored nine of her points in the fourth quarter, helping the Hatters outscore the Owls 31-15 and overcome a one-point deficit heading into the final period to secure the win.
In addition to Thomas, two other Hatters reached double figures. Mary McMillan contributed 17 points and five assists, while Tiasia McMillan added 10 points, six rebounds, six assists, and three steals.
Cristina Gil Abad also recorded five assists, marking the first time since a win over Johnson (FL) on Nov. 9, 2021, that the Hatters had three players with five or more assists in a game.
Stetson's defense played a key role, limiting Florida Atlantic to just 12.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc and 31.4 percent overall from the field. The Hatters have been dominant at the Insight Credit Union Arena this season, racking up 253 points (84.3 per game) while outscoring opponents by 109 points at home. Stetson has also held its opponents to just 48 points per game on its home floor.
Stetson stayed close in the first quarter but trailed 14-12 as the period ended. Florida Atlantic extended its lead to 23-20 early in the second, but the Hatters responded with a 6-0 run, including a three-pointer by Mary McMillan, to take a 26-23 lead. Stetson held that advantage for the remainder of the half, heading into the break with a 33-30 lead. The Hatters shot well from deep in the second quarter, knocking down five three-pointers to account for 15 of their 21 points in the period.
Stetson lost its lead in the third quarter and trailed 45-44 heading into the final period. In that frame, the Hatters scored 10 of their 11 points in the paint.
Stetson regained control in the fourth quarter, taking a 63-56 lead before going on a 5-0 run, capped by Thomas' three-pointer, to stretch the lead to 68-56 with 2:36 remaining. The Hatters held on to that lead for the rest of the game, closing out the 75-63 win. Stetson capitalized in the post, scoring 20 of its 31 points in the paint.
The Hatters outrebounded the Owls 45-41, including 11 offensive boards that led to 10 second-chance points. Thomas, just one rebound shy of a double-double, led the team with nine boards.
Stetson will now take a break before heading to the shore for the Daytona Beach Classic, where they will face Bowling Green on Friday, Nov. 29 at 1:15 p.m. at the Daytona Beach Ocean Center.
