Fourth Quarter Surge Lifts Hatters to ASUN Quarterfinal Win

Hatters guard Brittney Chambers

DeLand, Fla. — It took a while for the Hatters offense to get going Friday night, but once it did, it was lights out.

Brianti Saunders helped lead the way for the Hatters to beat USC Upstate on Friday night, shooting 18 points.

Stetson scored 27 fourth quarter points, hitting 4-of-6 shots from behind the arc, to defeat USC Upstate 70-49 in the ASUN Quarterfinals Friday night at the Edmunds Center.

The top-seeded Hatters (25-5) extended their win streak to 14 in a row and advance to host fourth-seeded Kennesaw State in the ASUN Semifinals at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

“It felt like the first half was kind of slow for us,” Stetson head coach Lynn Bria said.  “It felt like the lid was on the basket.  I thought we had some good looks but didn’t put them in.

“I thought the second half was better, but the fourth quarter is really where the offense opened up for us.  We finally started hitting some shots on the perimeter which I think opened up the game.”

Brianti Saunders led the way with 18 points, McKenna Beach and Sarah Sagerer each scored 13, and Brittney Chambers added 10 as the Hatters won their 25th game of the year.

Hatters guard Brittney Chambers
Brittney Chambers added 10 points on Friday night as the Hatters won their 25th game of the year against USC Upstate.

Stetson’s defense helped forced 20 USC Upstate turnovers and did not allow a fastbreak lay-up the entire game.

“I thought our defense was good for 40 minutes,” Bria said.  “I don’t have any complaints about our defense.”

Stetson hit 10 3-pointers in the game, including four from Saunders and three from Beach.  The Hatters also hit 10-of-11 free throws and outrebounded the Spartans (9-21) 30-28.

Stetson advances to the ASUN semifinals for the seventh year in a row.

Game Notes:
The Hatters own the sixth-longest active win streak in the nation (14 games) … Stetson’s 25-5 record is the team’s best 30-game mark ever … The Hatters are two wins shy of their single-season record of 27 … Stetson won the first quarter (16-10) for the 15th game in a row … McKenna Beach (4) and DeAsia Beal (3) combined for seven steals … The Hatters are 24-1 when leading after three quarters … Stetson has held 11 opponents under 50 points this year.