Box Score (pdf)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Eastern Kentucky University couldn't overcome a hot start by Stetson in a 92-76 loss in the opening round of the 2026 Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament on Wednesday at UNF Arena on the campus of the University of North Florida in Jacksonville.
 
No. 10 seed Stetson (12-20) hit 12 of its first 21 shots from the field (57%) and 5-of-9 (56%) from behind the 3-point line to build an 18-point first half lead. 
 
After Tyler Jackson hit a jumper with 13:56 left in the opening period to get the seventh seeded Colonels (11-21) within four, 15-11, the Hatters went on a 21-7 run.  Alex Doyle's 3-pointer stretched it to a double-digit lead, 29-18.  Jake Johnson's 3-pointer capped the run and handed Stetson a 36-18 advantage.
 
A 3-pointer from Jayden Harris with 43 seconds left in the first half got EKU within 10, 51-41, before Stetson scored the final three points of the period to go into the locker room in front 54-41.
 
The Hatters shot 57% in the first half, going 7-of-14 from deep.  The Colonels also hit on 7-of-14 from behind the arc in the first half, but six turnovers limited EKU's number of possessions.
 
A pair of 3-pointers to start the second half allowed Stetson to take its largest lead to that point at 19, 60-41.  Ethan Copeland's fifth 3-pointer of the contes made it a 20-point game, 65-45, with 15:46 to play.
 
Harris, a redshirt freshman, scored a career-best 19 points for EKU.  Jackson, a true freshman, finished one short of matching his career-high, contributing 18 points, four rebounds and three assists.  Jalen Cooper posted a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.  He also scored his 1,000th career collegiate point.
 
Copeland led all players with 23 points, finishing 5-of-10 from behind the arc.
 
Stetson shot 53% from the field for the game.  The Hatters hit on 14-of-31 from 3-point range for 45%.  EKU got out-rebounded 32-27 and committed five more turnovers.  The Colonels shot 49% from the floor for the game and connected on 12-of-27 (44%) from deep.