Smith scores 21, leads Stetson to first A-Sun victory with 72-64 win over Fla. Gulf Coast

Stetson beats Florida Gulf Coast 72-64

DELAND, Fla. — A.J. Smith scored 21 points to lead Stetson to a 72-64 win over Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday night.

Stetson’s senior guard scored 10 points in the first 7 minutes of the second half. Tyshawn Patterson and Brandon Williams added 13 and 12 points as Stetson (3-7, 1-1 Atlantic Sun Conference) snapped a four-game losing streak.

Stetson didn’t take its first lead until a runner by Patterson made it 22-21 with 6:44 left in the first half. A dunk by Kyle Marks gave the lead back to Florida Gulf Coast at 23-22, but that was the last time the Eagles led.

Brandon Williams had a steal and passed to Patterson, who made a layup at the 4:52 mark for a 24-23 edge. That was the start of a 10-2 Stetson run.

Derrick O’Neal led Florida Gulf Coast (4-7, 1-1) with 14 points and Reed Baker added 11.