DeLand, Fla. — Stetson men's basketball opens ASUN play on the road with a pair of conference matchups, beginning at North Alabama on Thursday, Jan. 1, at 1:00 p.m., followed by a visit to Central Arkansas on Saturday, Jan. 3, at 2:00 p.m.
Stetson enters conference play with a 4–9 record coming out of the holiday break. Jamie Phillips Jr. continues to lead the Hatters in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 14.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Ethan Copeland remains a consistent offensive threat, averaging 12.8 points per contest while shooting 42 percent from three-point range and leading the team with 17 steals. Calvin Sirmans III has been the primary facilitator for Stetson, pacing the squad with a team-high 55 assists. As a unit, the Hatters are averaging 69 points per game while shooting 42 percent from the field, 32 percent from beyond the arc, and 63 percent from the free-throw line.
North Alabama enters Thursday's matchup with a 5–6 record and features four players averaging double figures. Donte Bacchus leads the Lions at 13.5 points per game, followed closely by Cornelious Williams at 13.0 points per contest. Williams also anchors the interior, leading North Alabama in rebounds at 10.3 per game and blocks with 12. Canin Jefferson and Kevin de Kovachich round out the double-digit scorers, averaging 11.5 and 11.3 points, respectively. As a team, the Lions are averaging 71 points per game while shooting 42 percent from the field, 31 percent from three-point range, and 69 percent from the free-throw line.
Central Arkansas currently sits at 5–8 and will host FGCU before welcoming the Hatters to Conway. The Bears are led by Camren Hunter, who is averaging 16.5 points per game and ranks second on the team in steals. Ty Robinson is the other double-figure scorer, averaging 13.4 points per game while leading the team in rebounding at 5.3 per contest. Luke Moore facilitates the offense, tallying 44 assists while averaging 8.5 points per game. As a team, Central Arkansas averages 76 points per game while shooting 43 percent from the field, 31 percent from three-point range, and 64 percent from the free-throw line.
This will be the 13th meeting between Stetson and North Alabama, with the Hatters holding an 8–4 advantage in the all-time series. Stetson and Central Arkansas will meet for the seventh time, with the series tied at three wins apiece.
Fans can watch the game on ESPN+, with live stats available at GoHatters.com. Follow Stetson Athletics on social media for updates throughout the season.
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.
