DELAND, Fla. — The Stetson women's basketball team opened the 2026-27 season with a 75-52 victory over Flagler on Monday night at the Edmunds Center, giving head coach Melissa DeVore her first win at the helm of the program. The Hatters (1-0) used a strong defensive effort and a second-half offensive surge to pull away from the Saints, forcing 25 turnovers, collecting 15 steals and holding a 29-9 advantage in points off turnovers.
Candela Garcia-Escribano led the Hatters with 21 points, while freshman Desireck Nieves made an immediate impact in her collegiate debut, scoring 18 points behind four 3-pointers. Sophie Locatelli added 16 points as the trio combined for 55 of Stetson's 75 points.
Flagler struck first on a layup from Nicole Carreno and briefly regained the lead at 4-2 before the Hatters began finding their rhythm offensively. Locatelli evened the score with a layup, while Garcia-Escribano helped spark the Stetson offense with a pair of baskets off turnovers. The Hatters continued to capitalize on their defensive pressure as Locatelli finished a transition layup off an assist from Garcia-Escribano, who followed with a 3-pointer to extend the lead to 11-6. Flagler managed to trim the deficit to three, but baskets from Sierra Driessen and a pair of free throws from Jorah Eppley helped Stetson close the opening quarter with a 19-12 advantage.
The Saints responded early in the second quarter, scoring six unanswered points to pull within 19-18. Stetson quickly regained control with an 8-0 run over the next two minutes, highlighted by four points from Garcia-Escribano, two free throws from Addison Godby and a fastbreak layup from Driessen following a steal and assist by Locatelli. The run pushed the Hatters' advantage to 27-18 midway through the period. Flagler continued to battle back, cutting the deficit to three before Stetson stretched its lead to 33-24 behind contributions from Godby, Zoie Lofton and Nieves. The Saints answered with the final six points of the half, including a transition layup from Rain McDaniel, sending the Hatters into the locker room holding a narrow 33-30 lead.
Stetson emerged from halftime with renewed energy, using its defensive pressure and perimeter shooting to create separation in the third quarter. Garcia-Escribano opened the second-half scoring with a fastbreak layup off an assist from Nieves before the freshman guard began to take over offensively. Nieves connected on a 3-pointer following an offensive rebound and added another from beyond the arc off a Flagler turnover to give the Hatters their first double-digit lead of the half at 42-32. After the Saints worked back within eight, Nieves buried two more 3-pointers to keep the momentum firmly in Stetson's favor. Lofton added a layup and Favour Anyaele converted a pair of free throws in the closing minutes as the Hatters carried a 54-41 advantage into the final quarter.
The Hatters continued to build on their lead in the fourth, beginning with a Locatelli jumper following a steal by Garcia-Escribano. Flagler remained within striking distance for much of the period, but Stetson maintained control through its defensive intensity and timely scoring. Garcia-Escribano added another basket inside before Nieves knocked down two free throws to make it 62-48 with 3:37 remaining. Eppley followed with a 3-pointer, while the Saints scored their final basket with 2:31 left in regulation. From there, Stetson put the finishing touches on its season-opening victory, closing the contest on a 10-0 run. Locatelli knocked down consecutive 3-pointers, including one following her own steal, before Garcia-Escribano added two fastbreak layups to seal the 75-52 win.
Hatters Top Performers
Candela Garcia-Escribano
- Game-high 21 points
- 9 made field goals
- 4 steals
- 2 blocks
Desireck Nieves
- 18 points in her collegiate debut
- 4 made 3-pointers
- 4 steals
Sophie Locatelli
- 16 points
- 6 made field goals
- 3 assists
- 2 steals
Favour Anyaele
Game Notes
- Melissa DeVore earned her first victory as Stetson's head coach in her regular-season debut.
- The Hatters opened the 2026-27 campaign with a 1-0 record.
- Stetson forced 25 Flagler turnovers and recorded 15 steals.
- The Hatters outscored the Saints 29-9 in points off turnovers.
- Three Hatters finished in double figures, led by Garcia-Escribano (21), Nieves (18) and Locatelli (16).
- Nieves connected on four 3-pointers in her collegiate debut, providing a spark during Stetson's third-quarter surge.
- Stetson outscored Flagler 21-11 in the final quarter, including a 10-0 run to close the game.
- The Hatters held Flagler to just 22 second-half points after allowing 30 in the opening half.
Up Next
The Hatters will hit the road for their first test away from home when they visit Louisville on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
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.
