TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Stetson women's basketball opened its 2025–26 season with a hard-fought 82-73 setback at Alabama Monday evening inside Coleman Coliseum. The Hatters and Crimson Tide traded the lead 22 times in a back-and-forth contest that showcased Stetson's offensive firepower and resilience against a Power Five opponent.

Cameron Thomas led all scorers with 27 points, marking the most by a Hatter in a season opener in at least two decades. The ASUN Preseason Player of the Year went 8-for-14 from the field, 4-for-6 from three, and 7-for-9 from the line to pace a Stetson squad that shot a scorching 52.2 percent (12-for-23) from beyond the arc.

Graduate guard Mary McMillan added 14 points and eight assists, while Aleah Sorrentino contributed 12 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. Promise Keshi anchored the defense with three steals and matched Sorrentino with seven boards.

The Hatters opened strong, hitting six threes in the first quarter, including triples from McMillan, Thomas, and Jorah Eppley, to take a 24-23 lead after the opening frame. Stetson continued to battle throughout the first half, taking a 42-39 advantage on a Thomas three before Alabama closed the half up 43-42.

The third quarter saw Stetson reclaim momentum behind a 5-0 run, capped by another McMillan three that gave the Hatters a 56-52 lead. Alabama answered late to even the score 62-62 heading into the final period. McMillan's layup put Stetson back ahead early in the fourth, and Thomas buried a clutch triple with 3:39 to play to make it a one-point game, but the Crimson Tide sealed the contest at the line in the closing seconds.

The Hatters return home to Insight Credit Union Arena at the Edmunds Center on Thursday at 6:30 PM for their home opener against Warner.

WORDS FROM COACH BRIA
"Really proud of how the team battled versus a very good Alabama team," Head Coach Lynn Bria said. "Foul trouble hurt us down the stretch, but overall, I really like the progress this team has made so far. Still lots of work to do."

TOP PERFORMERS
Cameron Thomas – 27 points, 8-14 FG, 4-6 3FG, 7-9 FT
Mary McMillan – 14 points, 8 assists, 3-6 3FG
Aleah Sorrentino – 12 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks
Promise Keshi – 6 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals

GAME NOTES

• Stetson's 27 points from Thomas mark the most in a season opener since at least 2004.
• The Hatters made 12 three-pointers — their most in a game since hitting 13 on Nov. 7, 2024
• Stetson finished with 15 assists and three players in double figures.
• Head Coach Lynn Bria remains two wins shy of her 300th career victory at Stetson.

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.