ACKSONVILLE, FL – Despite 20-point performances from Mehki Ellison and Jamie Phillips Jr., the Stetson men's basketball team ended the regular season with a 79-72 loss to the Jacksonville Dolphins on Wednesday night.

The Hatters quickly found themselves down 12-0 at the start but responded with a 7-0 run, including four points from Josh Massey. Stetson continued to battle back, and Ellison came up with a steal before Phillips Jr. knocked down a three-pointer to tie the game at 16. However, they were unable to take the lead and went into halftime trailing 44-32.

In the second half, Stetson made a strong push, cutting the deficit to single digits with just under 11 minutes left. With under a minute remaining, Phillips Jr. hit another three-pointer off an offensive rebound by Treyton Thompson, bringing the score to 77-72. Stetson quickly fouled but after Jacksonville hit their free throws, the Hatters missed their shot and fell 79-72. 

Ellison and Phillips Jr. each finished with 20 points, with Ellison adding six rebounds and three steals, while Phillips Jr. contributed six rebounds and two steals. Massey scored 10 points in the loss.

Stetson now heads to Nashville, Tennessee, to face tenth-seeded Central Arkansas in the first round of the ASUN Championship. The Hatters and Central Arkansas will tip off on Sunday, March 2, at 7:00 p.m. Lipscomb will host the neutral-site game and face the winner.