DeLAND, Fla. — Stetson (6-3) saw its four-game winning streak come to an end Friday afternoon, falling 81-75 to William & Mary (6-4) in the opening game of the Holiday Hoops Classic at the Edmunds Center. The Hatters led for much of the contest and went into the fourth quarter tied, but the Tribe pulled away late to secure the win.
Stetson set the tone early behind its perimeter shooting, knocking down five 3-pointers in the opening quarter to build a 21-14 advantage. Cameron Thomas and Mary McMillan sparked the early run from deep, while a late Candela Garcia-Escribano triple capped a 7-0 surge in the final minute of the period.
The Hatters extended their lead early in the second quarter, with McMillan and Jorah Eppley connecting from beyond the arc to push the margin to nine. William & Mary responded with a strong inside presence, scoring consistently in the paint to trim the deficit. Aleah Sorrentino closed the half with a layup in the final 30 seconds to send Stetson into the break holding a 38-35 edge.
The third quarter featured multiple lead changes as both teams traded baskets. McMillan drained another 3-pointer to briefly regain the lead for Stetson, while the Tribe answered behind second-chance points and timely scoring. The Hatters closed the quarter on a 5-0 run, punctuated by Sorrentino's free throws, to knot the game at 60-60 heading into the final period.
William & Mary seized control in the fourth quarter, outscoring Stetson 21-15 over the final 10 minutes. Natalie Fox and Monet Dance delivered key baskets and free throws down the stretch, while the Hatters struggled to regain the lead despite late efforts. McMillan's layup pulled Stetson within reach in the final minutes, but the Tribe sealed the outcome at the line.
Stetson finished the game shooting 11-for-32 from beyond the arc and led for more than 31 minutes, but could not overcome the Tribe's late surge.
The Hatters will return to action Saturday morning to close out the non-conference home schedule and the Holiday Hoops Classic, hosting Stonehill at 11 a.m. at the Edmunds Center.
TOP PERFORMERS
Aleah Sorrentino
- 19 points
- 11 rebounds
- 1 block
Mary McMillan
Cameron Thomas
- 10 points
- 3 3-pointers
- 5 rebounds
Promise Keshi
- 6 points
- 7 rebounds
- 5 assists
- 2 blocks
GAME NOTES
- Four Hatters scored in double figures in a balanced offensive effort.
- Stetson connected on 11 3-pointers, accounting for 33 of its 75 points.
- Sorrentino recorded her third double-double of the season.
- McMillan logged her third game this year with seven or more assists.
