CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The Stetson women's basketball team continues its early-season road swing Sunday afternoon when the Hatters travel to Coral Gables for a matchup against Miami at the Watsco Center. Coming off a challenging contest against nationally ranked Louisville, Stetson will look to take another step forward under first-year head coach Melissa DeVore as the Hatters face their second consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference opponent.

Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET, with the game streaming live on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX). Stetson enters the contest at 1-1 following its season-opening victory over Flagler and a road loss to No. 7 Louisville, while Miami brings a 2-0 record into Sunday's meeting after collecting home victories over Florida Atlantic and Jacksonville.

Stetson enters Sunday's matchup looking to build on the experience gained during a demanding opening week of the 2026-27 campaign. The Hatters began the Melissa DeVore era with a 75-52 victory over Flagler on Monday, using a strong defensive performance and a productive second half to earn their first win under the new coaching staff.

The season opener offered an encouraging look at Stetson's revamped roster, with three Hatters reaching double figures and the team forcing 25 turnovers while collecting 15 steals. Candela Garcia-Escribano led the way with 21 points, while freshman Desireck Nieves made an immediate impact with 18 points in her collegiate debut. Sophie Locatelli added 16 as Stetson outscored the Saints 42-22 after halftime to secure the victory.

The Hatters faced a considerably different challenge Wednesday night, traveling to Kentucky for their first-ever meeting with No. 7 Louisville. The Cardinals used their defensive pressure and depth to pull away for an 87-35 victory, holding Stetson to 23.6 percent shooting and converting 30 Hatter turnovers into 40 points.

Despite the result, Stetson received several individual contributions, highlighted by a career-high 10 points from Cici Driessen. The sophomore guard provided a spark off the bench and converted all six of her free-throw attempts, while Nieves collected a team-high seven rebounds and Jorah Eppley knocked down both of the Hatters' 3-pointers.

Sunday presents another opportunity for DeVore and her young squad to gain valuable experience against ACC competition. With several returning players taking on expanded responsibilities and newcomers adjusting to the collegiate level, the early road stretch will be an important opportunity for Stetson to continue developing its chemistry and consistency on both ends of the floor.

Through the opening two contests, Garcia-Escribano has emerged as Stetson's leading scorer, averaging 12.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. The junior has been particularly efficient around the basket, connecting on 64.7 percent of her field-goal attempts while adding five steals and two blocks. Her 21-point performance against Flagler provided an early indication of the increased role she will play after spending much of last season coming off the bench.

Nieves has also made an immediate impression in her first season with the Hatters, averaging 12.0 points and 5.0 rebounds through her first two collegiate appearances. The Puerto Rico native opened her career with 18 points and four 3-pointers against Flagler, including a memorable third-quarter stretch in which she connected on all four of her triples. She followed that performance with six points and a team-high seven rebounds against Louisville, showing her ability to contribute on the glass against a nationally ranked opponent.

Locatelli has provided another offensive option in the backcourt, averaging 9.5 points and a team-high 2.5 assists per game. The sophomore guard scored 16 points in the opener, connecting on a pair of late 3-pointers to help seal the victory, and has averaged a team-high 31.3 minutes through two games. Her experience and playmaking will remain important as Stetson continues navigating its early-season schedule.

Driessen enters Sunday's matchup following the strongest scoring performance of her collegiate career. The sophomore guard poured in 10 points against Louisville, surpassing her previous career high of five while finishing a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. She is averaging 7.0 points in 16.4 minutes per game and has recorded three steals through the opening two contests, providing valuable production off the bench.

Elsewhere, Eppley continues to give the Hatters a perimeter shooting presence, leading the team with three made 3-pointers while averaging 5.5 points and 4.0 rebounds. Senior forward Favour Anyaele has contributed 4.5 rebounds per game, while freshman Addison Godby has averaged 20.5 minutes off the bench. As Stetson works to establish its identity, contributions throughout the rotation will be important against a Miami team that has shown considerable offensive balance early in the season.

Miami enters Sunday's contest unbeaten through its first two games under head coach Tricia Cullop, opening the season with a pair of victories at the Watsco Center. The Hurricanes defeated Florida Atlantic 75-48 on Monday before following with a 79-63 win over Jacksonville on Thursday, establishing an early offensive rhythm while showcasing their depth and efficiency.

Through two games, Miami is averaging 77.0 points while shooting an impressive 52.6 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from beyond the arc. The Hurricanes have also been effective defensively, holding opponents to 55.5 points per game and 34.5 percent shooting. Miami has controlled the glass, averaging 39.0 rebounds while limiting opponents to 27.0 per contest, creating additional opportunities through its rebounding advantage.

Gal Raviv has directed the Hurricanes' offense early in the season, leading the team with 14.0 points and 6.5 assists per game. The junior guard has recorded 28 points and 13 assists through two contests while committing just two turnovers, providing Miami with an efficient playmaker capable of creating opportunities for herself and her teammates.

Ahnay Adams has been another key contributor, averaging 12.5 points and 6.5 rebounds while shooting 76.9 percent from the floor. The junior has connected on 10 of her 13 field-goal attempts and is one of four Hurricanes averaging double figures. Jess-Mine Zodia has provided 11.0 points per game off the bench, while Amarachi Kimpson is averaging 10.0 points and has connected on five 3-pointers at a 45.5 percent clip.

Miami has also received production from its frontcourt and supporting cast. Gianna Corbitt leads the Hurricanes with 7.0 rebounds per game while contributing 5.0 assists, and Natalie Wetzel has averaged 6.5 points and 5.0 rebounds. Dayana Mendes has provided another scoring option off the bench, averaging 8.0 points while shooting 71.4 percent from the field.

The Hurricanes' offensive balance and efficiency will present another test for Stetson, particularly after facing Louisville's aggressive defensive pressure earlier in the week. Miami has recorded 18.0 assists per game and features multiple players capable of scoring both inside and from the perimeter. For the Hatters, improving ball security, maintaining defensive discipline and competing on the glass will be important as they look to establish a more consistent offensive rhythm on the road.

Stetson and Miami renew a series that dates back to Feb. 5, 1977, with the two programs having met regularly during the early years of the Hatters' women's basketball history. The Hurricanes have held the advantage in the all-time series, although Stetson has enjoyed several notable victories, including a memorable postseason triumph in Coral Gables.

One of the most significant meetings came on March 20, 2014, when the Hatters traveled to Miami for the opening round of the Women's National Invitation Tournament. Stetson earned a 70-63 victory over the Hurricanes, securing the program's first NCAA Division I postseason victory.

More recently, the programs have met in each of the past two seasons, with both contests taking place at the Watsco Center. Miami earned a 78-53 victory on Nov. 4, 2024, before defeating the Hatters 77-45 on Dec. 28, 2025. In last season's matchup, Stetson was led by Cameron Thomas with 17 points, while current Hatters Sophie Locatelli and Candela Garcia-Escribano also contributed offensively.

Sunday's contest represents the second stop on Stetson's five-game road trip, which will keep the Hatters away from the Edmunds Center for much of November. Following their matchup with Miami, the Hatters will remain in South Florida for a meeting with FIU on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. inside the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.

Stetson will then travel to Clemson on Sunday, Nov. 15, for another matchup against an ACC opponent before concluding the road swing at UCF on Thursday, Nov. 19. The Hatters will return to DeLand on Sunday, Nov. 22, when they welcome Wright State to the Edmunds Center for their first home contest in nearly three weeks.

The demanding stretch provides DeVore and her staff with valuable opportunities to evaluate the team's progress against a variety of opponents and playing styles. With several players assuming larger roles and a young roster continuing to gain experience, each contest offers another opportunity for the Hatters to develop their chemistry and prepare for the conference season ahead.

Tipoff between Stetson and Miami is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida. The game will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra (ACCNX), with live statistics and additional coverage available at GoHatters.com.

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.