The Stetson Hatters, ranked 332 in the NET rankings, pulled off a stunning 5-point upset over the Jacksonville Dolphins, ranked 303, with a final score of 67-62. Ethan Copeland led the charge for Stetson, scoring 17 points, while Jaylen Jones paced Jacksonville with 14 points and 8 rebounds. This victory marks a significant win for the Hatters, who improve to 9-17 on the season, and drops the Dolphins to the same record.
Ethan Copeland Scores 17 Points to Lead Stetson to Upset Win
The Stetson Hatters took control early, leading 33-26 at halftime, and managed to hold off a late surge by the Jacksonville Dolphins to secure the 67-62 win. The Dolphins outscored Stetson 36-34 in the second half, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit. A key 10-2 run by Stetson midway through the first half helped to establish their lead, which they maintained for the remainder of the game. With 5 minutes left to play, Stetson held a 10-point advantage, but Jacksonville narrowed the gap to 5 points with 1:30 remaining, ultimately falling short. The Hatters shot 42.9% from the field, including 6-18 from three-point range, while the Dolphins shot 40.7% from the field and 7-23 from beyond the arc.
Ethan Copeland was the top performer for the Stetson Hatters, scoring 17 points, while Jake Johnson added 11 points and Matar Diop chipped in with 10 points and 5 rebounds. For the Jacksonville Dolphins, Jaylen Jones led the way with 14 points and 8 rebounds, followed by Hayden Wood with 14 points and Donovan Rivers with 11 points and 6 rebounds. The Hatters' bench outscored the Dolphins' bench 15-10, with Stetson's Wesley Cummins contributing 6 points off the bench. The Dolphins' Jaylen Jones was efficient, shooting 5-10 from the field and 4-6 from the free-throw line.
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The Stetson Hatters outrebounded the Jacksonville Dolphins 35-32, including 10 offensive rebounds, which led to 12 second-chance points. The Dolphins committed 14 turnovers, which the Hatters converted into 15 points, while Stetson turned the ball over 12 times, resulting in 10 points for Jacksonville. The Hatters shot 75% from the free-throw line, making 12-16 attempts, while the Dolphins shot 63.2% from the charity stripe, making 12-19 attempts. The game saw a total of 34 fouls called, with Stetson being whistled for 18 and Jacksonville for 16.
The CHD Scout prediction model correctly forecasted a Stetson win, predicting a 2.9-point margin of victory, which was close to the actual 5-point difference. The predicted score was 76-73, but the actual score was 67-62, with both teams scoring fewer points than expected. The model was correct in predicting the winner, but underestimated the defensive performance of both teams, as they combined for 129 points, 20 fewer than the predicted total.
This win is significant for the Stetson Hatters, as it improves their record to 9-17 and gives them a Quadrant 4 win, as the Jacksonville Dolphins are also a Quadrant 4 opponent. The loss drops the Dolphins to 9-17, and they also suffer a Quadrant 4 loss. The NET rankings will likely see the Hatters move up from their current ranking of 332, while the Dolphins may drop from their current ranking of 303. This game had real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes, as a win in a Quadrant 4 game can be valuable for teams on the bubble.
The Stetson Hatters want to build on this momentum as they face their next opponent, while the Jacksonville Dolphins will try to bounce back from this tough loss. The Hatters' next game is scheduled for February 15, and the Dolphins will also be in action on the same day, with their opponents to be determined.