Stetson defeats Rhodes 95-76

Stetson Edges Rhodes in Thrilling Non-Conference Showdown

The Hatters (95) proved too much for the Grenadines (76), handing them their first loss of the season in a hard-fought, 19-point victory at Edmunds Center on Tuesday night.

Stetson's balanced attack was on full display as Ethan Copeland led the way with 29 points on 8-11 three-point shooting. The senior guard also chipped in with eight rebounds and two steals, helping his team dominate the paint. Jamie Phillips Jr. rounded out the trio of double-doubles for Stetson, contributing 13 rebounds and 18 points off the bench.

For Rhodes, Tyler Jasek was the lone bright spot, scoring 16 points on five-for-seven three-point shooting. Cass Ramberg led the Grenadines in rebounding with eight boards, but his team's struggles from beyond the arc ultimately proved costly.

The first half was a back-and-forth affair, with Stetson taking a slim 46-39 lead into halftime. However, the Hatters' strong defensive effort and Copeland's hot shooting helped them pull away in the second half. At one point, Stetson led by as many as 20 points before Rhodes trimmed the deficit to two late in the game.

Stetson's balanced attack was a key factor in their victory, with all five starters scoring at least six points. The Hatters' strong rebounding also limited Rhodes to just 41 percent shooting from the field, a far cry from their season average of 49.3 percent.

In a matchup that saw both teams struggle with three-point shooting, Stetson's ability to hit big shots down the stretch proved decisive. For Rhodes, however, the loss will serve as a wake-up call ahead of a busy schedule.

Overall, it was a dominating performance from Stetson, who improved their record to 6-1 on the season. The Hatters' win over Rhodes marked their first victory in non-conference play, and sets them up for an important test against a ranked opponent next week.