Jacksonville Dolphins Edge Stetson Hatters in Close Contest
Thursday, February 26, 2026, 7:00 PM ET · Swisher Gymnasium
Jacksonville Dolphins 89, Stetson Hatters 85, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Stetson Hatters vs Jacksonville Dolphins?
Jacksonville Dolphins beat Stetson Hatters 89-85 at Swisher Gymnasium on February 26, 2026.
Who was favored in Stetson Hatters vs Jacksonville Dolphins?
Jacksonville Dolphins were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -305 (about 75% implied). The favorite won.
In a thrilling matchup at Swisher Gymnasium, the Jacksonville Dolphins narrowly defeated the Stetson Hatters with a final score of 89-85. This contest was particularly noteworthy as it marked the fourth meeting between these two teams this season, with Jacksonville now holding a 2-1 advantage in their head-to-head record. Their previous encounter just two weeks prior saw Stetson claim victory with a score of 67-62, making this win for Jacksonville a significant turnaround.
Both teams entered the game with similar records, with Jacksonville at 11-19 and Stetson at 10-20. The Dolphins had struggled recently, going 3-7 in their last ten games and on a two-game losing streak, averaging 69.7 points scored and allowing 74.0 points per game. In contrast, Stetson had also faced challenges, with a record of 3-7 over their last ten games, but they were coming off a win against the North Florida Ospreys, averaging 74.3 points scored and allowing 78.8 points.
At home, Jacksonville had a record of 3-3 in their last six games, while Stetson struggled on the road with a 1-5 away record. The Dolphins' recent form included a mix of wins and losses, with their last five games yielding a record of 1-4 and an average of 68.6 points scored against 72.2 points allowed. Stetson, on the other hand, had a slightly better last five games record of 2-3, with an average of 76.6 points scored and 79.8 points allowed.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide specific details, but both teams have had to navigate a challenging season, which could have impacted their performance. The market, as reported by DraftKings, had Jacksonville favored by 7.5 points, with a total set at 138.5. The odds reflected a strong belief in Jacksonville’s ability to win at home, with a moneyline of -305 for the Dolphins compared to +245 for the Hatters.
The game conditions were not detailed in the block, but the atmosphere in Swisher Gymnasium was likely charged, given the stakes of the matchup and the rivalry between the two teams.
As the game unfolded, it was clear that both teams were eager to secure a win. The scoring plays highlighted the back-and-forth nature of the contest, with key contributions from both sides. Notably, Ethan Copeland assisted on a layup that helped extend Jacksonville's lead in the second half. Donovan Rivers made crucial free throws that pushed the score to 87-83, while Jake Johnson hit two significant three-pointers that kept Stetson within striking distance. However, Jacksonville managed to maintain their lead, with Evan Sterck also contributing from the free-throw line to seal the victory.
Overall, this matchup was a testament to the competitive spirit of both teams, showcasing their offensive capabilities and the intensity of college basketball. The Dolphins will look to build on this win as they continue their season, while the Hatters will need to regroup and address their recent inconsistencies.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | JAX -7.5 | 138.5 o -115 / u -105 | Stetson Hatters +245 · Jacksonville Dolphins -305 |
Leaders
- PointsHayden Wood25Jacksonville Dolphins
- AssistsChris Lockett Jr.5Jacksonville Dolphins
- ReboundsJason Thirdkill Jr.11Jacksonville Dolphins
- PointsCollin Kuhl31Stetson Hatters
- AssistsFinley Sheridan4Stetson Hatters
- ReboundsFinley Sheridan6Stetson Hatters
Recent form
Jacksonville Dolphins
Last 10: 3-7Streak L269.7 scored · 74 allowed per game3-3 at home
- L61-65vs Austin Peay GovernorsFeb 22
- L84-86at Florida Gulf Coast EaglesFeb 19
- W63-56vs North Florida OspreysFeb 14
- L62-67at Stetson HattersFeb 12
- L73-87at West Georgia WolvesFeb 7
- L84-93at Queens University RoyalsFeb 6
- L49-68vs Florida Gulf Coast EaglesJan 31
- W70-65vs Lipscomb BisonsJan 30
- W81-76vs Eastern Kentucky ColonelsJan 24
- L70-77vs Bellarmine KnightsJan 23
Stetson Hatters
Last 10: 3-7Streak W174.3 scored · 78.8 allowed per game1-5 away
- W76-71vs North Florida OspreysFeb 21
- L76-88vs Central Arkansas BearsFeb 20
- L76-78at Florida Gulf Coast EaglesFeb 14
- W67-62vs Jacksonville DolphinsFeb 12
- L88-100at Eastern Kentucky ColonelsFeb 7
- L71-92at Bellarmine KnightsFeb 6
- L66-68vs North Alabama LionsJan 31
- W84-77at North Florida OspreysJan 30
- L65-73at Austin Peay GovernorsJan 23
- L74-79at Lipscomb BisonsJan 22
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Peay | 22-9 | +1 | 15-3 |
| Central Arkansas | 22-12 | +1 | 15-3 |
| Queens University | 21-14 | 2 | 13-5 |
| Lipscomb | 19-13 | 3 | 12-6 |
| Florida Gulf Coast | 16-18 | 7 | 8-10 |
| West Georgia | 15-17 | 6 | 8-10 |
| Bellarmine | 13-19 | 8 | 7-11 |
| Jacksonville | 12-20 | 8 | 7-11 |
| Stetson | 12-21 | 8 | 7-11 |
| Eastern Kentucky | 11-21 | 7 | 7-11 |
| North Florida | 7-25 | 10 | 5-13 |
| North Alabama | 9-21 | 10 | 4-14 |
Box score
| Stat | Stetson Hatters | Jacksonville Dolphins |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 30-53 | 27-61 |
| Field goal % | 57 | 44 |
| Three-pointers | 7-18 | 5-12 |
| Three-point % | 39 | 42 |
| Free throws | 18-27 | 30-31 |
| Free throw % | 67 | 97 |
| Rebounds | 24 | 37 |
| Offensive rebounds | 7 | 14 |
| Defensive rebounds | 17 | 23 |
| Assists | 16 | 12 |
| Steals | 2 | 7 |
| Blocks | 3 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 8 | 6 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 6 | 6 |
| Fast-break points | 12 | 8 |
| Points in the paint | 44 | 38 |
| Fouls | 21 | 22 |
| Largest lead | 2 | 17 |
| Lead changes | 2 | 2 |
| Time in front | 1 | 90 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half51-64Collin Kuhl makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half51-66Donovan Rivers makes layup
- 2nd Half51-67Donovan Rivers makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half53-67Jake Johnson makes layup
- 2nd Half54-67Jake Johnson makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half57-67Ethan Copeland makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half57-69Jaylen Jordon makes 0-foot tip in dunk
- 2nd Half59-69Calvin Sirmans III makes layup
- 2nd Half60-69Finley Sheridan makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-69Collin Kuhl makes layup (Finley Sheridan assists)
- 2nd Half62-70Jason Thirdkill Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half62-71Jason Thirdkill Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half65-71Ethan Copeland makes 26-foot three point jumper (Finley Sheridan assists)
- 2nd Half65-73Jason Thirdkill Jr. makes layup (Chris Lockett Jr. assists)
- 2nd Half67-73Collin Kuhl makes layup
- 2nd Half67-74Chris Lockett Jr. makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-75Chris Lockett Jr. makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half67-76Donovan Rivers makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half67-77Donovan Rivers makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half68-77Collin Kuhl makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half69-77Collin Kuhl makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half69-79Jason Thirdkill Jr. makes 3-foot alley oop dunk (Evan Sterck assists)
- 2nd Half70-79Calvin Sirmans III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-79Calvin Sirmans III makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half71-80Hayden Wood makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half71-81Hayden Wood makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-81Collin Kuhl makes 4-foot alley oop dunk (Calvin Sirmans III assists)
- 2nd Half73-82Donovan Rivers makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half73-83Donovan Rivers makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half75-83Collin Kuhl makes 4-foot dunk (Ethan Copeland assists)
- 2nd Half75-84Hayden Wood makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half75-85Hayden Wood makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half77-85Ethan Copeland makes layup (Calvin Sirmans III assists)
- 2nd Half77-86Donovan Rivers makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half77-87Donovan Rivers makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half80-87Jake Johnson makes 26-foot three point jumper (Ethan Copeland assists)
- 2nd Half83-87Jake Johnson makes 24-foot three point jumper (Finley Sheridan assists)
- 2nd Half83-88Evan Sterck makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half83-89Evan Sterck makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half85-89Collin Kuhl makes 1-foot dunk (Ethan Copeland assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Jacksonville Dolphins, below favours Stetson Hatters.
Venue
- Swisher GymnasiumJacksonville, FL
- Attendance732
- OfficialsLandon Brandes, Byron Rosier, Charles Howell Jr
Elsewhere
- Carson Crawford, No. 46 in '27 class, commits to Arizona St.
- Tennessee's Ralph Scott to have knee surgery, out at least 6 months
- Men's NCAA basketball 2026-27 Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings
- Transfers, recruits and roster moves for key men's NCAA basketball teams
- Michigan 5-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. (knee) to miss season
- With $6.5 million left on deal, UCLA fires AD Martin Jarmond