JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Interstat) — Ethan Copeland scored 23 points and Stetson used a blistering first-half offensive display to build an insurmountable lead, cruising past Eastern Kentucky 92-76 in an ASUN Conference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena.

The Hatters, avenging a 12-point home loss to the Colonels just a month prior, seized control early with a torrent of three-point shooting and efficient ball movement, leading by 13 at halftime and never letting the margin dip below double digits in the second half.

The most critical phase of the game unfolded in the opening 20 minutes, where Stetson constructed its commanding lead. The Hatters shot 54% from the field in the first half, including 8 of 18 from three-point range, to post 54 points by the break. Their offensive rating, a measure of points scored per 100 possessions, was a staggering 138.2 for the game, fueled by this early explosion. Eastern Kentucky, despite a respectable 41-point half, could not keep pace with Stetson’s shot-making and ball security.

Stetson’s offensive execution was crisp throughout, finishing with 10 assists against only six turnovers. Eastern Kentucky, by contrast, managed just three assists while committing 11 turnovers, which the Hatters converted into 10 steals and several easy transition opportunities. The Colonels also struggled to generate second chances, being out-rebounded on the offensive glass 9-5.

Copeland, a junior from Sunnyside, Washington, led all scorers and added four assists in 36 minutes, continuing a strong late-season stretch. He was complemented by a balanced Hatters attack. Alex Doyle, a freshman from Cholet, France, came off the bench to score 17 points, all in the first half, hitting five three-pointers. Collin Kuhl of Holly Springs, North Carolina, added 13 points, and Finley Sheridan of Merrick, New York, contributed 11.

Eastern Kentucky was led by Tyler Jackson of Baltimore, who scored 18 points, and Jayden Harris of Dumfries, Virginia, who added 19, with 16 of those coming in the first half. Jalen Cooper of St. Petersburg, Florida, chipped in 16 points and two blocks for the Colonels.

The result flipped the pregame expectations, as Eastern Kentucky had been installed as a 4.5-point favorite by oddsmakers. The combined score of 168 points sailed over the projected total of 156.

Defensively, Stetson’s activity was pivotal. Their 10 steals, led by three from Calvin Sirmans, disrupted Eastern Kentucky’s rhythm and fueled their own offensive pace. The Colonels shot a solid 49% from the field but were hampered by their inability to take care of the ball or create extra possessions.

With the victory, Stetson improved to 12-20 overall. Eastern Kentucky fell to 11-21. Both teams conclude their regular seasons at the ASUN tournament in Jacksonville. Stetson’s next game is against Austin Peay in the tournament opener on Friday.