DeLAND, Fla. — Stetson Women's Basketball turned in its most dominant ASUN performance in years Saturday afternoon, rolling past Bellarmine 76-41 at the Edmunds Center for its largest margin of victory over a conference opponent since 2018.
The Hatters (15-8, 8-4 ASUN) controlled every phase of the game, out-rebounding the Knights 50-23, forcing 18 turnovers and getting a 30-point contribution from the bench to cruise to their fourth straight win.
Cameron Thomas led Stetson with 17 points, knocking down three three-pointers while adding five rebounds and two steals. Mary McMillan followed with 16 points and four assists, while Candela Garcia-Escribano chipped in nine points off the bench. Aleah Sorrentino anchored the interior with nine rebounds as the Hatters pulled down 15 offensive boards and scored 17 second-chance points.
Stetson never trailed after the opening minutes, answering Bellarmine's first basket with a strong early response. After the teams were knotted early, the Hatters used a 5-0 run late in the first quarter — capped by a Thomas three — to take an 18-12 lead after one. McMillan fueled the opening frame with 11 points as Stetson also grabbed 14 rebounds in the quarter.
The Hatters broke the game open in the second quarter, outscoring Bellarmine 17-5 during a decisive stretch that turned a slim lead into a commanding advantage. Sierra Driessen provided a spark off the bench with a layup and a three-pointer, while Jorah Eppley knocked down a fast-break triple as Stetson pushed its lead to 35-17 by halftime.
Stetson continued to dictate the pace after the break, opening the third quarter with a Cameron Thomas three and building the lead behind strong play inside from Promise Keshi and McMillan. The Hatters outscored the Knights 18-10 in the period, holding Bellarmine to just 27 points through three quarters while taking a 53-27 lead into the final frame.
The fourth quarter was more of the same, as Stetson extended the margin with early baskets from Thomas and strong defensive pressure that led to easy transition points. The Hatters limited Bellarmine to just 14 points in the final 10 minutes to seal the 35-point victory.
Stetson finished the afternoon shooting nine three-pointers and holding Bellarmine to 27.1 percent from the field, while recording five blocks and scoring 22 points off turnovers.
Stetson returns to the road on Thursday, Feb. 12, traveling to Jacksonville for an ASUN matchup with the Dolphins. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. at Swisher Gymnasium.
The game will be available on ESPN+, with live stats accessible via GoHatters.com. Fans can follow the Hatters all season long on social media by following @StetsonWBB and @GoHatters.\
KEY PLAYERS
Cameron Thomas
- 17 points
- 3 three-pointers
- 5 rebounds
- 2 steals
Mary McMillan
- 16 points
- 4 assists
- 2 rebounds
Aleah Sorrentino
- 9 rebounds
- 4 points
- 2 assists
Candela Garcia-Escribano
GAME NOTES
- Stetson posted its largest win over an ASUN opponent since 2018
- The Hatters out-rebounded Bellarmine 50-23, including 15 offensive boards
- Stetson's bench accounted for 30 points
- The Hatters held the Knights to 27.1 percent shooting from the field
- Stetson forced 18 turnovers and recorded five blocks
- Cameron Thomas led all scorers with 17 points
- Aleah Sorrentino pulled down a game-high nine rebounds
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.
