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 Interstat’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.