JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Behind a dominant performance from Mary McMillan and a decisive fourth-quarter surge, the Stetson University women's basketball team defeated the reigning Champion Florida Gulf Coast Eagles 70-63 Thursday afternoon in the quarterfinal round of the ASUN Championship at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.

The fourth-seeded Hatters improve to 20-10 overall and advance to the ASUN Semifinals for the first time since the 2021-22 season. The victory also marks Stetson's first postseason win since the 2023 ASUN Championship and its first postseason triumph over FGCU since the Hatters defeated the Eagles 70-64 in the 2013 ASUN Championship Final to claim the program's last conference title.

McMillan delivered one of the biggest performances of her career, pouring in a game-high 28 points while connecting on 15-of-16 from the free throw line. The graduate point guard also added four assists and sealed the victory late by converting six consecutive free throws over the final 1:32.

Cameron Thomas added 15 points with three three-pointers, while Promise Keshi contributed 10 points and seven rebounds as three Hatters reached double figures. Rose Caso chipped in nine points and matched Keshi with seven rebounds.

The contest was tightly contested throughout the first three quarters. Stetson grabbed an early 18-15 lead after the opening period behind timely three-point shooting, including a fast-break triple from Thomas. FGCU battled back in the second quarter and briefly took the lead before McMillan scored late to give the Hatters a narrow 28-27 halftime advantage.

The Eagles carried a slim edge into the final frame, leading 51-48 after three quarters following a back-and-forth third period that featured multiple lead changes. FGCU pushed the margin to five midway through the fourth before Stetson responded with a decisive run.

Keshi opened the quarter with a three-pointer to spark the Hatters, and Thomas later knocked down a clutch three to tie the game at 60-60 with just over two minutes remaining. Stetson then took control at the free throw line, where McMillan calmly converted six straight attempts in the closing moments to secure the victory.

As a team, Stetson knocked down 11 three-pointers and held the Eagles to just 37.5 percent shooting from the field while limiting FGCU standout Sinai Douglas to eight points on 2-of-12 shooting.

TOP PERFORMERS

Mary McMillan
28 points
15-of-16 free throws
4 assists

Cameron Thomas
15 points
3 three-pointers

Promise Keshi
10 points
7 rebounds

Rose Caso
9 points
7 rebounds
2 steals

GAME NOTES

• McMillan recorded her fifth 20-point game in the last seven contests.
• Stetson finished the game 11-of-26 from three-point range.
• The Hatters held FGCU to 37.5 percent shooting from the field.
• McMillan, Thomas, and Keshi combined to score 53 of Stetson's 70 points.
• The victory marked Stetson's first postseason win over FGCU since the 2013 ASUN Championship Final.
• The Hatters improved to 20 wins for the first time since the 2021-22 season.

UP NEXT

Stetson advances to the ASUN Championship Semifinals where the Hatters will face No. 8 Austin Peay at 11:00 a.m. ET on Saturday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. The game will be streamed on ESPN+. Live stats and ticket information can be found at GoHatters.com.

For continued updates on Stetson Women's Basketball, follow the Hatters on social media and visit 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.