DELAND, Fla. — Stetson (8-15, 4-6 ASUN) came up just short in a 68–66 loss to North Alabama (7-13, 2-7 ASUN) on Saturday afternoon at Edmunds Center.
Stetson set the tone early with an active defensive effort, forcing six turnovers and recording six steals in the opening half. Alex Doyle knocked down an early three-pointer at the 17:21 mark off an assist from Calvin Sirmans III to spark the offense, and Ethan Copeland followed by converting a pair of free throws at 14:12 to give the Hatters a brief lead. North Alabama responded late in the half, using a short run capped by a Dallas Howell three-pointer in the final minute to take a 34–29 advantage into the break.
The Hatters opened the second half with renewed energy, trimming the deficit to 37–35 on a layup by Sirmans III just over two minutes in. North Alabama answered with a strong stretch midway through the half, building its lead to 59–46 behind timely shooting from Howell. Stetson refused to go away, mounting a late rally behind Collin Kuhl and Finley Sheridan. The Hatters closed within one, 67–66, with 15 seconds remaining after a series of key baskets. Kuhl continued his strong stretch with his second straight game of 23 points or more, while Sheridan recorded a career-high eight rebounds. Stetson wasn't able to tie the game back up eventually falling 68-66.
Stetson Top Performers
· Collin Kuhl – 23 points, 10-16 FG, 8 rebounds, 4 steals
· Finley Sheridan – 11 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists
· Calvin Sirmans III – 8 points, 6 assists
· Ethan Copeland – 9 points, 4-5 FT, 3 steals
· Alex Doyle – 9 points, 3-4 3FG, 2 assists
Up next, the Hatters travel to Louisville, Kentucky, to face Bellarmine on Thursday, Feb. 5. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at Knights Hall.
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.
