DELAND, FL – Despite a strong performance from Treyton Thompson, who grabbed 10 rebounds, the Stetson men's basketball team lost to the Jacksonville Dolphins 74-65 at home on Thursday.

The game started with some early struggles, as the basket was covered for the first eight minutes, with Stetson holding a slim 9-8 lead. Jacksonville then took a 15-11 advantage, but the Hatters quickly fought back and regained a 17-15 lead. However, the Dolphins answered and tied the game at 17. Stetson struggled to find its offensive rhythm and entered halftime trailing 35-23.

Jacksonville maintained its double-digit lead for most of the second half, but the Hatters mounted a 9-0 run to close the gap to just six points with under three minutes to play. Unfortunately, Stetson could not get any closer, falling 74-65.

Josh Massey led Stetson with 16 points, while Mehki Ellison added 12 points and Jordan Wood contributed 13 points to round out the team's double-digit scorers. Stetson was active defensively, tallying six blocks in the game, with Thompson recording a team-high three rejections.

The Hatters will return to the Edmunds Center on Saturday, February 8, to face Eastern Kentucky at 4:00 PM.