Box Score (in pdf)

Made free throws down the stretch proved to be key for Detroit as the Titans held on to win its Horizon League opener by a score of 71-64 against Loyola Saturday afternoon at the Gentile Center in Chicago, IL. UDM improves to 5-7 on the year (1-0 HL), while the Ramblers fall to 5-6 overall (0-1).

Detroit had a 14 point lead with just over five minutes left (58-44), but Loyola managed to cut the deficit to four with 20 seconds remaining after junior Keisha Collins made one from long range (68-64), which proceeded two made free throws from UDM junior Brigid Mulroy (West Bloomfield, MI/Marian). In the closing seconds, redshirt freshman Talicia Washington (Auburn Hills, MI/Avondale) made both of her attempts at the line, while junior Chanica Hall (Minneapolis, MN/Benilde-St. Margaret's) tacked on another point to help secure the Titans victory. Washington ended the game not having missed any from the charity stripe (6-of-6).

Detroit led almost the entire game, with the exception of two ties in the first half and when Loyola had a 6-5 advantage at the 16:34 mark. With the score tied at eight, Detroit went on a 5-0 scoring run, which included three points from senior Sandi Brown (Toledo, OH/Start). During this stretch, UDM kept the Ramblers scoreless for 5:49 before junior Shannon Finnegan netted a 2-point field goal at 9:17 and then went on to score the next nine points for Loyola.

Washington, who ended with a team-high 14 points, scored two-straight baskets to give the Titans a five-point lead both times, with the last coming at 5:44 off of an assist from Brown to put the score at 19-14. Loyola knotted the score at 23 in the closing minutes, but senior Dominica Whittaker (Mississauga, ON/Our Lady of Mt. Carmel) made one of her attempts at the line and senior Zemora Davis (Detroit, MI/Community) hit a jumper to help the Titans head into the break with a 26-23 advantage over the Ramblers.

For the first time this season, Detroit had two players record double-doubles as Brown grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds and scored a team second-best 12 points, while Washington added 10 caroms for her first career double-double. Mulroy scored in double figures for the eighth time this season as she poured in 11 points, while Hall dished out a team-high four helpers.

Collins scored a game-high 17 points, while junior Elyse VanBogaert grabbed a team-high nine boards and added 16 points for the Ramblers.

Detroit outrebounded Loyola, 47-37, for the Titans largest advantage in caroms thus far this season. UDM shot 42 percent on the afternoon (23-of-55), while the Ramblers shot 26-of-66 from the field. The difference maker came at the line as the Titans made 22 of their 33 attempts, while Loyola only had 14 chances at the charity stripe.

This marks the first time since the conference name was changed to the Horizon League that Detroit won its league opener on the road. The last time the Titans won its first conference contest of the season was a 67-43 victory against Youngstown State in Detroit on Dec. 28, 2004.

Detroit will continue play in Chicago, IL, as the Titans face UIC on Jan. 5 at 8 p.m. EST.