DELAND, Fla. (Interstat) — Cameron Thomas scored a game-high 32 points to lead Stetson to a 71-65 win over Stonehill in a nonconference women’s basketball game Saturday at Edmunds Center. The Hatters, who improved to 7-3, used a 24-point third quarter to erase a 39-30 halftime deficit. The Skyhawks, who fell to 4-6, went 8 for 24 from three-point range and were outscored 17-7 in points off turnovers. Thomas, a guard from Hazel Crest, Illinois, keyed the comeback. Stetson’s Aleah Sorrentino added 12 points. Brooke Paquette led Stonehill with 17 points, and Emma Arcà added 15. Stetson shot 40.3% from the field and made eight three-pointers. Stonehill was perfect on 16 free-throw attempts but managed only 32.4% shooting overall.

DELAND, Fla. (Interstat) — Cameron Thomas scored a game-high 32 points and the Stetson Hatters overcame a double-digit deficit to defeat the Stonehill Skyhawks 71-65 in a nonconference women’s basketball game Saturday at Edmunds Center. The contest was a tale of two halves, defined by a decisive third-quarter surge from the home team. Stonehill, which led by as many as 11 points in the second quarter, saw its offense stagnate after halftime while Thomas and the Hatters found their rhythm. Stonehill built its early advantage behind a strong second quarter, outscoring Stetson 24-10 to turn a five-point deficit after one period into a 39-30 halftime lead. The Skyhawks shot efficiently before the break and capitalized on a cold spell from Stetson, which managed just 10 points in the quarter. The momentum shifted dramatically in the third. Stetson opened the period on a 12-4 run, fueled by Thomas and forward Aleah Sorrentino, who finished with 12 points. The Hatters dominated the quarter, outscoring Stonehill 24-18 to take a 54-57 lead into the final frame. Thomas was instrumental, attacking the basket and creating opportunities as Stetson tightened its defense, forcing Stonehill into difficult shots. Stonehill’s offensive struggles, particularly from beyond the arc, proved costly. The Skyhawks shot just 3 for 24 from three-point range for the game. Despite a perfect 16-for-16 performance at the free-throw line, Stonehill could not counter Stetson’s second-half efficiency. The Hatters scored 17 points off 10 Skyhawks turnovers and shot 8 for 24 from three-point range compared to Stonehill’s dismal long-distance outing. The fourth quarter was a tense, back-and-forth affair. Stonehill closed to within two points on a Julia Webster three-pointer with 6:33 remaining, making it 61-59. However, Stetson responded with key plays down the stretch. Thomas hit a critical three-pointer with 3:54 left to extend the lead to 67-61, and the Hatters defense held Stonehill to just eight points in the final quarter. The Skyhawks missed their final eight field goal attempts in the last four minutes. Thomas, a guard from Hazel Crest, Illinois, added two assists in 33 minutes for Stetson. Mary McMillan provided crucial support with 12 points and five assists, while Sorrentino added four assists to her 12 points. For Stonehill, Brooke Paquette led the way with 17 points. Emma Arcà added 15 points and Ella Pelletier scored 11. Julia Webster was a force defensively, recording four of Stonehill’s six blocks to go with 13 points. The most important part of the game was Stetson’s third-quarter turnaround. After being outplayed in the second period, the Hatters emerged from halftime with increased defensive intensity and a focused offensive game plan centered on Thomas. This 10-minute stretch erased Stonehill’s hard-earned lead and established a foundation Stetson would not relinquish, ultimately deciding the contest. With the win, Stetson improves to 7-3 on the season. Stonehill falls to 4-6. Stetson next plays at Miami (Fla.) on Sunday, Dec. 28. Stonehill travels to face Vanderbilt on the same date.

Skyhawks, Hatters Meet in Nonconference Finale DELAND, Fla. (Interstat) — The Stonehill women’s basketball team looks to build on a momentum-building win when it visits Stetson on Saturday at Edmunds Center in the final nonconference game for both programs. The Skyhawks (4-5) snapped a three-game skid with a 74-68 road victory at Bethune-Cookman on Friday. Stonehill will now play its second game in as many days, seeking its first winning streak since early November. Stonehill is led by guard Brooke Paquette, who is averaging 12.7 points per game over her last three contests. She scored 15 points in 31 minutes in a loss at Providence on Dec. 13. The Hatters (6-3), however, present a significant challenge, especially in the post. Stetson is coming off a hard-fought 81-75 home loss to William & Mary on Friday, despite a standout performance from forward Aleah Sorrentino. The junior recorded a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds in 36 minutes. Sorrentino has been a consistent force for Stetson, which boasts wins over UCF and Saint Louis this season. Her interior presence will test a Stonehill squad that has struggled against stronger competition, with its four wins coming against teams with a combined record of 7-29. Stetson holds a clear edge in record and has played a tougher schedule to date. The Hatters’ three losses have come against William & Mary, Towson and Alabama by an average of just 7.3 points. For Stonehill, avoiding a slow start will be critical. The Skyhawks have been outscored by an average of 18 points in their five losses, but showed resilience in Friday’s comeback win at Bethune-Cookman. This marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs. Following this game, Stonehill travels to Vanderbilt on Dec. 28, while Stetson visits Miami (Fla.) the same day. Tip-off is set for Saturday afternoon at Edmunds Center.