DELAND, Fla. (Interstat) — Collin Kuhl scored 26 points to lead Stetson to a 95-86 victory over West Georgia in an ASUN Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at Edmunds Center. The Hatters improved to 7-11 overall, while the Wolves fell to 9-8. Stetson led 46-43 at halftime and maintained its advantage throughout the second half behind Kuhl’s efficient performance. Shelton Williams-Dryden led all scorers with 31 points for West Georgia, and teammate Josh Smith added 22. Ethan Copeland contributed 18 points for the Hatters in front of an announced crowd of 780.

DELAND, Fla. (Interstat) — In a game defined by contrasting offensive philosophies, the Stetson Hatters leveraged a blistering shooting performance to outlast the West Georgia Wolves 95-86 in an ASUN Conference men’s basketball matchup Thursday night at Edmunds Center. The Hatters improved to 7-11 overall, while the Wolves fell to 9-8. The most important part of the game was Stetson’s remarkable efficiency from the field, which consistently thwarted West Georgia’s attempts to close the gap through sheer volume. The Hatters shot a scorching 60.8% from the floor and an even more impressive 66.7% from three-point range, connecting on 12 of 18 attempts. This precision offense, which produced an offensive rating of 126.2 points per 100 possessions, proved too much for a Wolves squad that relied on offensive rebounding and forcing turnovers to generate opportunities. West Georgia, which shot 44.4% overall and just 28% from beyond the arc, did dominate the glass with 14 offensive rebounds leading to 18 second-chance points and forced 15 Stetson turnovers. However, the Wolves could not string together enough stops to overcome the Hatters’ shooting clinic. Stetson built a 46-43 halftime lead behind early three-pointers from Calvin Sirmans and Ethan Copeland. The Hatters then methodically extended their advantage in the second half, answering every Wolves run with a critical basket. A key sequence occurred with just over six minutes remaining when, leading 72-70, Stetson’s Collin Kuhl converted a layup through a foul and Finley Sheridan followed with a layup off a Daniel Macgregor assist to push the lead to six. West Georgia never got closer than four points the rest of the way. Kuhl, a 6-foot-8 forward from Holly Springs, North Carolina, was the game’s standout performer, scoring 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting from the field to lead the Hatters. He was complemented by Copeland, who added 18 points and three assists, and Sirmans, who chipped in 15 points and four assists. West Georgia was carried by the prolific scoring of Shelton Williams-Dryden. The 6-foot-6 guard from Milwaukee played 38 minutes and scored a game-high 31 points. He was supported by Josh Smith with 22 points and Malcolm Noel, who contributed 15 points and a team-high six assists. Despite the loss, West Georgia won the possession battle through its work on the offensive boards and committed only nine turnovers. Stetson’s ability to maximize its opportunities, however, with a significant edge in free throw attempts and makes, ultimately decided the contest. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Stetson entered with a 56.9% probability to win, though West Georgia had been installed as a slight 1.5-point favorite in the betting markets. The combined score of 181 points sailed over the posted over/under line of 152. The announced attendance at Edmunds Center was 780. Stetson looks to build on the victory when it hosts Queens (N.C.) on Saturday. West Georgia continues its Florida road trip at Florida Gulf Coast on Saturday.

DE LAND, Fla. (Interstat) — ASUN Conference play continues Thursday night as the West Georgia Wolves visit the Stetson Hatters at Edmunds Center. West Georgia (9-7) looks to rebound from a tough 75-43 road loss at Jacksonville last Saturday. The Wolves had won three straight prior to that defeat. Stetson (6-11) also seeks to bounce back from a home loss, an 81-69 decision against Austin Peay on Jan. 10. The matchup features two players entering on different trajectories. West Georgia’s JaVar Daniel, a key contributor off the bench, has seen his scoring dip in conference play. After a 15-point effort at Georgia on Dec. 22, Daniel has averaged just 4.0 points over his last four games, though he remains a defensive presence with multiple blocks in three of those contests. Conversely, Stetson’s Collin Kuhl is coming off one of his best performances of the season. The forward logged 18 points and six rebounds in the loss to Austin Peay, showcasing an offensive spark the Hatters need consistently. West Georgia’s season has been marked by volatility, including a 2OT win at Troy and a 29-point loss to Georgia. Stetson has struggled against high-major competition, losing by 53 at Oklahoma and 31 at South Carolina, but has shown life at home, including a 91-83 win over Lipscomb on Jan. 8. The Wolves hold the overall better record, but the Hatters will look to defend their home court where they are 4-4 this season. The game tips off at 7 p.m. EST on Thursday, Jan. 15.