DeLAND, FL – Cameron Thomas delivered a stellar performance on Thursday afternoon, setting a new season-high with 30 points on 10-of-15 shooting. Despite her efforts, the Stetson Hatters fell to the South Alabama Jaguars, 87-79, at the Insight Credit Union Arena, marking their first home loss of the season.
The Hatters faced an uphill battle, trailing by as many as 15 points in the second quarter. A determined effort allowed them to tie the game in the fourth, but the comeback ultimately fell short.
In addition to her scoring, Thomas pulled down six rebounds, her sixth game this season with at least five boards. Her 30-point outing was the first by a Hatter since Yazz Wazeerud-Din achieved the feat against North Alabama on February 13, 2021.
Mary McMillan contributed 17 points, tying her season-high with six made field goals. Her streak of nine consecutive games with four or more assists ended, falling just one short of the tally.
Jorah Eppley, fresh off a career-high in the win over High Point, drained a personal-best four 3-pointers to finish with 12 points. Shelby Calhoun provided a spark off the bench, adding seven points, a team-high seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
The Hatters briefly held the lead early in the game after a 5-0 run capped by Diawna Carter-Hartley's basket put them ahead 5-3. However, South Alabama took control, closing the first quarter with a 19-12 advantage, the only period where Stetson failed to score at least 20 points.
The Jaguars extended their lead to 36-21 midway through the second quarter before Stetson responded with a 6-0 run to narrow the gap. Still, South Alabama maintained their edge, heading into halftime up 47-35. Thomas, who had been scoreless in the first quarter, sparked the Hatters in the second with 12 points.
After halftime, Stetson surged with a 7-0 run to trim the deficit to 47-42 early in the third quarter. Although the Hatters couldn't draw closer, they matched South Alabama's intensity, entering the final period down just 63-58.
In the fourth quarter, McMillan's layup tied the game at 65-65 following a sequence of offensive rebounds. But South Alabama quickly responded with a three-pointer and gradually rebuilt their lead. The Jaguars pushed ahead 81-73 before a late 5-0 Hatter run, capped by a Calhoun layup, brought them within three at 81-78 with just 18 seconds remaining. South Alabama sealed the win at the free-throw line, closing the game with an 87-79 final score.
Stetson, now 5-6, will return to action tomorrow, hosting the Bradley Braves in day two of the Hatters Holiday Classic at the Insight Credit Union Arena.
