DeLAND, Fla. — Stetson Women's Basketball hits the road this week for the first leg of a three-game ASUN road swing, opening with matchups at North Alabama and Central Arkansas. The Hatters will travel to Florence, Alabama on Thursday, Jan. 29 for a 7:00 p.m. contest against the Lions at CB&S Bank Arena at Flowers Hall before continuing on to Conway, Arkansas to face the Sugar Bears on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 1:00 p.m. inside the Farris Center.
Stetson enters the week at 11-8 overall and 4-4 in ASUN play, coming off a dramatic comeback attempt that fell just short in an 86-81 loss to Austin Peay on Alumni Day. The Hatters erased a 23-point deficit, outscored the Governors 26-16 in the fourth quarter, and made it a one-possession game in the final minute after forcing 19 turnovers and converting them into 22 points.
Despite the setback, the performance highlighted the Hatters' resilience and late-game execution. Mary McMillan led the rally with 19 points and seven assists, while Cameron Thomas added 15 points and Promise Keshi sparked the defense with four steals. Aleah Sorrentino continued her strong stretch of play, finishing with 18 points to extend her streak of 14+ points in four straight games.
On the season, Stetson is averaging 70.3 points per game, while allowing 65.7, shooting 42.3 percent from the field and 33.8 percent from three-point range, with 8.6 made threes per contest. The Hatters have established themselves as one of the league's most efficient perimeter teams, pairing ball movement with consistent shooting.
Thomas anchors the offense, leading the ASUN with 17.8 points per game on 45.3 percent shooting, including 39.6 percent from beyond the arc with 55 made three-pointers. McMillan continues to serve as the engine of the offense, averaging 12.0 points while ranking among the league leaders with 86 assists. Sorrentino provides balance inside and out, averaging 10.7 points and a team-high 8.2 rebounds per game, second-most in the conference. Over her last four games, she has combined efficient scoring with physical rebounding, helping Stetson control the paint and tempo.
Defensively, the Hatters are led by Keshi, whose presence continues to disrupt opposing offenses. She has totaled 25 blocks and 35 steals on the season, anchoring a defense that thrives on pressure and transition opportunities.
Thursday's matchup at North Alabama renews a competitive series that has swung back and forth. Stetson holds a 7-6 edge in the all-time series and earned a 76-59 win over the Lions in DeLand earlier this month, led by a season-high 19 points from Rose Caso. While the Hatters are 5-2 at home against North Alabama, they will look to improve a 2-4 record in Florence.
North Alabama enters the contest at 9-9 overall and riding a four-game winning streak, including a 63-60 victory over Queens last week. The Lions are 6-2 at home and average 63.7 points per game, allowing 64.4, while shooting 39.9 percent from the field and 29.6 percent from three. North Alabama is active on the glass, averaging 38.4 rebounds, and moves the ball well with 13.8 assists per game.
Alexsandra Alvarado leads the Lions with 12.1 points per game, adding 48 assists while shooting 40.1 percent from the field. Sofia Ceppellotti contributes 10.8 points and 5.4 rebounds, while Gabby Jackson anchors the rebounding effort.
The road trip continues Saturday at Central Arkansas, where Stetson will look to snap a two-game series skid against the Sugar Bears. The Hatters trail 2-3 in the all-time series, including a 65-43 loss in the ASUN opener on New Year's Day.
Central Arkansas enters the week at 11-8 overall and 4-3 in conference play, winners of two straight after an 87-66 victory over West Georgia, where four Sugar Bears scored at least 15 points. UCA will host FGCU on Thursday before welcoming the Hatters on Saturday.
The Sugar Bears boast one of the league's most balanced attacks, averaging 72.5 points per game while allowing just 59.9, outscoring opponents by 12.6 points per contest. They shoot 41.0 percent from the field and 32.7 percent from three, while ranking among the league's best on the glass with 40.7 rebounds per game and 14.4 assists.
Shae Littleford leads the way with 14.5 points per game, while Cheyenne Kemp (12.5 ppg) and Bree Stephens (10.8 ppg, 7.8 rpg) add depth and physicality. Littleford and Stephens each have 30 steals on the season, and all three primary scorers have dished out 37 or more assists, highlighting UCA's balanced offensive approach.
Live stats for both contests will be available on GoHatters.com, with both games streaming on ESPN+. Fans can also follow along with updates, highlights, and behind-the-scenes coverage by following Stetson Women's Basketball on social media.
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.
