DeLAND, Fla. — Stetson (16-9, 9-5 ASUN) secured a historic 62-52 victory over FGCU Saturday afternoon at the Edmunds Center, earning its first home win in the series since 2011 and snapping an eight-game skid against the Eagles. The Hatters controlled the paint, forced timely turnovers, and delivered in the fourth quarter to seal the statement conference win in front of 627 fans.
Stetson set the tone early as Rose Caso opened the scoring with two free throws at the 9:23 mark. Mary McMillan followed with a pair of strong finishes at the rim, pushing the Hatters ahead 8-3 midway through the first quarter. Cameron Thomas added a fastbreak jumper off a Candela Garcia-Escribano assist during a 6-0 run that gave Stetson early momentum. FGCU answered with three-pointers from Airah Lavy and Sinai Douglas to trim the deficit, but Aleah Sorrentino knocked down a clutch three with 1:32 remaining. Lavy responded with a triple in the final seconds, and Stetson carried a narrow 14-13 lead into the second.
The Hatters built separation in the second quarter, outscoring the Eagles 18-13. Thomas opened the frame with a layup as Stetson continued to attack inside, scoring 10 points in the paint in the period. After FGCU tied the game at 24-24, Stetson responded with a 5-0 run highlighted by a Jorah Eppley three-pointer to take a 29-24 advantage. Eva Bradshaw capped the half with three free throws in the closing seconds, sending the Hatters into halftime with a 32-26 lead.
Stetson stretched the lead to 39-28 midway through the third following a 5-0 run punctuated by a McMillan layup. The Eagles responded with a surge of their own, using a Cerina Rolle three and key baskets from Jalei Pillow to chip away. With 1:12 left in the quarter, FGCU briefly grabbed a 42-40 lead on an Eve Alexander layup. McMillan answered in the closing seconds, finishing at the rim with four seconds remaining to give Stetson a 43-42 edge entering the fourth.
The final quarter belonged to the Hatters. Sorrentino sparked the run with a tip-in and later added a mid-range jumper off a McMillan assist as Stetson outscored FGCU 19-10 in the period. A 7-0 run extended the margin to 52-44 with just over six minutes to play, and Thomas followed with a three-pointer and two free throws to maintain control. McMillan added a key three at the 3:46 mark and another jumper to put the game out of reach. The Hatters forced five fourth-quarter turnovers and converted them into 10 points, finishing with 18 points off 14 total takeaways.
Stetson dominated the glass 40-33, including 14 offensive rebounds that led to 11 second-chance points. The Hatters also scored 30 points in the paint and held FGCU to 34.7 percent shooting from the field.
Key Performers
- Mary McMillan – 20 points, 7/11 field goals, 5/7 free throws, 3 assists
- Aleah Sorrentino – 19 points, 11 rebounds (double-double), 5 offensive rebounds, 2 steals
- Cameron Thomas – 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2/2 free throws
Game Notes
- First home win over FGCU since 2011
- Snapped an eight-game skid in the series
- First win over FGCU overall since 2022
- Stetson outscored FGCU 19-10 in the fourth quarter
- Hatters scored 18 points off 14 forced turnovers
- Stetson held FGCU to 34.7% shooting
- 40-33 rebounding advantage, including 14 offensive boards
- McMillan and Sorrentino combined for 39 points
Stetson returns to the Edmunds Center on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 5:00 p.m. to host North Florida for Student Organization Night, presented by AdventHealth. Fans are encouraged to wear white for the White Out. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, with live stats and updates available through Stetson Athletics social media channels.
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.
