DELAND, FL — On a day dedicated to honoring its senior class, Stetson delivered one of its most complete performances of the season.
The Hatters (18-9, 11-5 ASUN) defeated Eastern Kentucky (22-7, 13-3 ASUN) 69-54 Saturday afternoon at the Edmunds Center, using a commanding 41-21 rebounding advantage and suffocating defense to secure the Senior Day victory.
Stetson never trailed after the first quarter and closed the game on a decisive 7-0 run, sending its seniors out with a statement win over one of the ASUN's top teams.
Eastern Kentucky opened quickly, hitting back-to-back three-pointers to jump in front 6-0. Stetson responded immediately. Cameron Thomas finished through contact for an and-one, igniting a 9-0 Hatters run midway through the opening quarter. Mary McMillan added a layup and a three-pointer during the surge, and Promise Keshi knocked down a jumper in the final seconds of the period to give Stetson a 27-22 lead.
The Hatters took full control in the second quarter.
After EKU cut the deficit to six, Stetson went on another 9-0 run, highlighted by baskets from Keshi and McMillan, stretching the lead to 40-27. The Hatters forced four turnovers in the period and converted them into seven points. Eva Bradshaw added a three-pointer late in the quarter as Stetson entered halftime with a 45-32 advantage.
Stetson's physicality continued after the break. A three-pointer from Aleah Sorrentino pushed the lead to 50-34 early in the third, part of a 5-0 run that reestablished momentum. While EKU trimmed the margin to single digits late in the period, the Hatters held a 54-46 edge entering the fourth.
In the final quarter, Stetson's defense shut the door.
The Hatters held EKU to just eight points in the period and 32.1 percent shooting for the game. A Rose Caso three-pointer midway through the fourth extended the lead to double figures, and a late 7-0 run sealed the 69-54 victory.
STETSON TOP PERFORMERS
Mary McMillan
- 19 points (7-of-11 FG)
- 4 assists
Promise Keshi
- 19 points
- 11 rebounds (double-double)
- 3 offensive rebounds
- 2 steals
Cameron Thomas
- 16 points
- 5-for-5 from the free throw line
- 4 rebounds
Aleah Sorrentino
- 8 rebounds
- 5 assists
- 2 steals
GAME NOTES
- Stetson held a 41-21 rebounding advantage, including 11 offensive rebounds.
- The Hatters turned those second-chance opportunities into 13 points.
- EKU shot just 32.1 percent from the field.
- Stetson forced 15 turnovers.
- The Hatters never trailed after taking a 27-22 lead at the end of the first quarter.
- Keshi recorded her double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
- Stetson has now scored 69+ points in back-to-back games.
- Keshi, McMillan, and Thomas combined for 54 of Stetson's 69 points (78 percent).
NEXT UP
Stetson returns to the Edmunds Center on Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 7:00 p.m. to host Jacksonville in ASUN action.
The game will serve as Breast Cancer Awareness Night presented by Insight Credit Union at Insight Credit Union Arena. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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.
