(Boiling Springs, N.C.) – The Stetson University men’s basketball team’s road woes continued with a 73-48 defeat at Gardner-Webb Saturday night.  The Hatters missed 17 of their first 20 shots in the second half and hit a season-low 29% of their total field goals. 

“Obviously a game like this is extremely frustrating,” said head coach Derek Waugh.  “We don’t match up well with the way they play and I thought they were a little more physical than we were.”

The Hatters came out strong, building a 13-6 lead seven minutes into the game.  Gardner-Webb out-scored Stetson 25-9 the rest of the half.  Stetson’s cold spell lasted nearly 15 minutes into the second half, by which time the Bulldogs held a 57-35 advantage. 

“It is hard to win on the road and this trip is a real grind,” Waugh said, “But I wish we could have pulled it out.”

For the first time this year, not a single Hatter scored in double figures.  Garfield Blair came the closest with nine points on 3-for-9 shooting.  He also topped the club with six rebounds.  Gabe McMillen dished out three assists with three steals and eight points. 

Takayo Siddle led the Bulldogs with 17 points and six assists.  Chris Gash put in 15.

“Gash is a warrior,’ Waugh said.  “He handles himself really well.”

The Hatters return home for a non-conference game Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. against Savannah State.

“We will focus on winning some games at home and going into the conference tournament strong,” Waugh said. 

Stetson dropped to 8-17 overall and 4-10 in the A-Sun.