Next Game:
at The Citadel
11/11/2024 | 6:00pm
Nov. 11 (Mon) / 6:00pm
at The Citadel
History
In a thrilling showdown, Stetson Men’s Basketball narrowly lost to Omaha with a final score of 79-76, despite putting up a fierce comeback effort after trailing by 20 points in the second half. Jamie Phillips Jr. ignited the Hatters’ offense early on with a stellar three-pointer from beyond the arc, setting the stage for a hard-fought contest. Throughout the initial five minutes, the game remained tightly contested, with neither team able to establish a significant lead. However, the Mavericks managed to surge ahead, increasing their advantage to 12 points with just seven minutes remaining in the first half.
The Hatters, demonstrating resilience, began to chip away at the deficit. Fueled by an impressive 8-0 scoring run, they pulled within four points of their opponents. During this critical stretch, both Phillips Jr. and Jordan Wood showcased their shooting skills by nailing three-pointers. Just before the halftime buzzer, Omaha managed to sink their eighth three-pointer of the half, leaving Stetson trailing at 48-41 as they headed into the break.
After halftime, Omaha extended their lead to 20 points, putting Stetson in a challenging position. However, once the media timeout concluded with eight minutes left in the second half, the Hatters shifted into high gear. They erupted with an impressive 18-3 run, narrowing the gap to just three points, trailing 77-74. During this explosive stretch, Phillips Jr. and Wood both contributed five points, while Gross added three points to the scoring surge. With under two minutes remaining, the Mavericks regained a five-point lead, but Abramo Canka swiftly countered, bringing the score to 79-76.
Following an unsuccessful shot by Omaha, Alex Doyle had a golden opportunity to tie the game with just seven seconds left on the clock. Unfortunately, his shot fell short, sealing the Hatters’ fate as they succumbed to the Mavericks with a final score of 79-76.
Leading the Hatters’ scoring effort was Phillips Jr. with 18 points, while Wood followed closely with 15. The team demonstrated balanced play, with four different players sharing the lead in rebounds, each grabbing five boards. Additionally, both Phillips Jr. and Mehki Ellison excelled in playmaking, tying for the team lead in assists with five apiece, while Wood stood out defensively, registering three blocks.
Stetson’s next challenge will take place in Charleston, South Carolina, where they are set to face off against The Citadel on Monday, November 11. This exciting match-up is scheduled to tip off at 6:00pm.
**Interview with Coach Mike Duffy from Stetson Men’s Basketball**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Coach Duffy. Let’s start by discussing the recent game against Omaha. It seemed like the team showed incredible resilience, coming back from a 20-point deficit. What were your thoughts on the performance?
**Coach Duffy:** Thanks for having me! I’m really proud of the team’s effort. We faced some tough adversity after falling behind, but the fight and determination they showed to get back in the game was commendable. Jamie Phillips Jr. and Jordan Wood really stepped up during that comeback, and it was great to see our hard work pay off, even if we didn’t come out on top.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of individual performances, Jamie Phillips Jr. had a strong start with an impressive three-pointer. How crucial was his early scoring to set the tone for the game?
**Coach Duffy:** Jamie’s early scoring was vital. It not only sparked our offense but also energized the team and our fans. When one player gets going, it can create momentum and open things up for others. We need that kind of energy heading into our upcoming games.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, you have a non-conference matchup against The Citadel coming up. What’s the focus for the team in preparing for that game?
**Coach Duffy:** Our focus will be on maintaining our defensive intensity and being more consistent with our shot selection. The Citadel plays a different style than Omaha, so we’ll need to adapt quickly. It’s crucial for us to build on the positives from the last game and learn from our mistakes.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, how important are non-conference games like this for your team as the season progresses?
**Coach Duffy:** Non-conference games are incredibly important for our growth and development. They help us test our skills against varied competition, and every game is a valuable opportunity to improve and prepare for conference play. We need to keep building our team chemistry and discipline as we move forward.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Coach Duffy, for your insights. Best of luck against The Citadel!
**Coach Duffy:** Thanks! We appreciate the support and look forward to giving our best effort in the next game.
