DELAND, Fla. – Joel Naburgs scored a career-high 27 points and Stetson closed the game with nine unanswered points to defeat Florida Gulf Coast 80-71 Friday night, splitting the season series.
The Hatters (13-14, 10-6 Atlantic Sun Conference), who have won four of their past five, avenged a 96-65 stomping by the Eagles on Jan. 25.
With the game tied 71-71 with 2:16 left, Stetson made 7 of 8 free throws and a layup while Florida Gulf Coast missed four shots and a free throw.
Trailing 36-34 at the break, Naburgs hit two of his six 3-pointers as part of a 10-0 Stetson burst to open the second half. The Eagles regained the advantage with a 13-0 run and the teams exchanged the lead until the Hatters' final burst.
With 173 career 3-pointers, Naburgs became Stetson's all-time leader.
Bernard Thompson's 19 points led Florida Gulf Coast (19-10, 11-5), which has lost two straight.
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