DeLAND, Fla. — Stetson women's basketball opens ASUN Conference play on New Year's Day, hosting Central Arkansas on Thursday, Jan. 1 at 11:00 a.m. inside Insight Credit Union Arena at the Edmunds Center.

The Hatters (7-4) enter the second half of the season after closing non-conference play on the road at Miami, turning the page to league action as one of the ASUN's most efficient offensive teams. Stetson leads the conference in scoring at 74.2 points per game, shooting 43.6 percent from the field and a league-best 36.5 percent from beyond the arc.

Senior guard Cameron Thomas continues to pace the conference and the nation. Thomas leads the ASUN with 217 total points and 19.7 points per game, ranking 23rd nationally. She is shooting 47.9 percent from the floor, second-best in the conference, and leads the ASUN — and ranks 23rd in the NCAA — at 45.7 percent from three-point range.

Mary McMillan provides a steady presence in the backcourt, averaging 12.8 points per game while leading the ASUN with 5.0 assists per contest, a figure that ranks 45th nationally. McMillan is also one of eight ASUN players to knock down 20 or more three-pointers this season.

In the paint, Aleah Sorrentino anchors the Hatters on both ends. Coming off a strong performance against Miami, Sorrentino leads Stetson and ranks second in the ASUN with 92 rebounds, averaging 8.4 per game, while contributing 10.2 points per contest.

Stetson faces a familiar opponent in Central Arkansas, holding a 3–1 all-time record against the Sugar Bears. The Hatters won the first three meetings between the programs beginning in 2022, though Central Arkansas took the most recent matchup in Conway on Jan. 18, 2025.

Central Arkansas (7-5) enters conference play after being picked second in the ASUN Preseason Coaches' Poll, following a 23-10 season in 2023-24 that included a trip to the ASUN Championship game and a WNIT appearance.

Bree Stephens, an unanimous preseason All-ASUN selection, headlines the Sugar Bears' lineup. She averages 12.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, while also leading the team with 32 assists and posting 20-plus steals and blocks this season. Graduate guard Shae Littleford leads the team in scoring at 14.1 points per game on 42.6 percent shooting, while junior guard Cheyanne Kemp rounds out the double-digit scorers at 11.7 points per contest.

As a team, Central Arkansas averages 72.6 points per game on 41.5 percent shooting, while allowing an ASUN second-best 58.7 points per game defensively. The Sugar Bears also hold a strong presence on the glass, outrebounding opponents 40.9 to 36.8 on average.

Fans can follow along throughout conference play by staying connected with Stetson women's basketball on social media. Thursday's game will be streamed on ESPN+, with live stats available at GoHatters.com.

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.