CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Stetson (1-2) opened strong but couldn't sustain its early momentum Monday night, falling 102-61 to Miami (FL) (3-0) at the Watsco Center.
Stetson got off to a fast start behind sharp perimeter shooting. Matar Diop opened the scoring with a three-pointer assisted by Calvin Sirmans III, and Ethan Copeland followed with another from deep to give the Hatters a 6-0 lead just minutes in, forcing an early Miami timeout at 17:10. The Hurricanes responded to tie the game at 11, but Stetson answered quickly with another 6-0 run capped by a basket from Jamie Phillips Jr. to regain a 17-11 advantage. Miami then caught fire offensively, pulling ahead. Despite the surge, Stetson continued to battle, heading into halftime down 55-36.
In the second half, the Hurricanes maintained their rhythm offensively, while the Hatters continued to compete. J.R. Leonard and Phillips each scored inside in the closing minutes, and Diop provided efficient production in the paint, finishing a perfect 3-for-3 from the field. In total, 10 different Hatters found the scoring column, highlighting the team's balanced offensive effort, as Stetson fell 102-61.
Ethan Copeland paced Stetson with 12 points, four steals, and two assists. Sirmans dished out five assists and grabbed two steals, while Janusz Ratowski added seven points, four rebounds, and two blocks. Diop contributed eight points and three rebounds.
Head Coach Donnie Jones praised his team's effort and emphasized the value of the early-season test.
"I thought our team came out at the beginning of the game and competed," Jones said. "I was excited for our guys to get this opportunity to play at this level against a program like Miami. They've got depth, size, and athleticism that really challenged us. It's a process for us as we continue to learn and grow from these types of games to help build our program."
Stetson will look to bounce back on Sunday, Nov. 16, when the Hatters travel to Cullowhee, North Carolina, to face Western Carolina at 1 p.m. inside the Liston B. Ramsey Center.
Stetson Top Performers
Ethan Copeland – 12 points, 4 steals, 2 assists
Calvin Sirmans III – 5 assists, 2 steals, 3 points
Janusz Ratowski – 7 points, 2 blocks, 4 rebounds
Matar Diop – 8 points, 3-3 FG, 3 rebounds
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
