Box Score in html

Box Score in pdf

NEW ORLEANS -- Despite a career-high 21 points from junior Jalesa Jones (Detroit, MI/Pershing) and a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double effort from junior Talicia Washington (Auburn Hills, MI/Avondale) the Detroit Titans women's basketball team dropped a thrilling overtime game to Saint Joseph's, 77-70, at the Big Easy Classic in New Orleans.

Jones, who was 6-of-13 from the field and 8-of-10 at the charity stripe, also grabbed six rebounds and dished out three assists, while Washington hit 5-of-10 from the field in her first start this season.

The game featured 10 lead changes and it was tied on another seven occasions.

Detroit (3-3) was down by four, 52-48, with 5:16 left when Jones scored four straight points to tie it. The tie was short lived as Saint Joseph's (4-3) put it four straight at the free throw line to regain a four-point lead, but a jumper by sophomore Demeisha Fambro (Detroit, MI/Crockett Tech) and a layup by sophomore Yar Shayok (Ottawa, ON/Hillcrest) knotted it at 56-all with 1:47 left in the game.

Both teams then went scoreless on their next possession, but Shayok came up with a steal with 34 seconds left and Jones was able to drain one in from 12-feet away to give the Titans a 58-56 advantage with just six seconds on the clock. After a SJU timeout, the Hawks were able to send it to the extra session as Erin Shields hit a shot at the buzzer.

In the overtime period, Saint Joseph's opened with a basket, but a free throw by Jones followed. With the Titans down by one, 60-59, the Hawks went on a 10-2 run to jump out in front as Detroit was able to get within seven three times before the clock reached zero.

Detroit trailed by five early, 7-2, just three minutes into the game, but went on a 20-5 run over the next 11 minutes to open a 10-point advantage, 22-12, with 6:35 left in the first stanza. The Titans were hitting from all over, inside and outside, during that spurt as Shayok and Washington combined for 10 points, while Jones and junior Lauren Allen (Rochester Hills, MI/Rochester) each nailed a 3-pointer.

After a Hawks' basket, Washington hit another jumper and then a free throw by Jones gave the red, white and blue its largest lead, 25-14, at the 5:41 mark in the first half.

The Hawks were able to end the first period on a 12-3 run and a 3-pointer to start the second had UDM down by one, 29-28. The second half saw SJU take as many as a five-point lead, but the Titans always fought back tying it six times in the second half.

Shayok just missed her third double-double of the year finishing with nine points and a game-high 13 rebounds, while Fambro netted 15 markers off the bench. Allen was 3-of-3 from the field and hit both of her free throws ending with eight points to go with five rebounds and three assists.

Detroit dominated the glass outrebounding the Hawks, 48-31, but had trouble taking care off the ball turning it over 24 times in the contest.

Detroit will play the final game of the Big Easy Classic tomorrow as the Titans face tournament host Tulane at 5:00 p.m. (EST). The game will be available online through a live webcast as well as updates through gametracker. Click here to access both those links on the women's basketball schedule page.

Game Notes:
Detroit played two overtime games a year ago…Jones' previous career high was 20 points against Loyola last year in a conference tournament game…Jones is 16 of her last 19 (84%) from the free throw line after starting the season 9-of-19 (47%)…It was Washington's first double-double since a 14-point, 10-reound effort against Loyola as a freshman during the 2008-09 campaign…Washington's four blocks tied a career-high set against Green Bay during that year…Junior Sierra Spaude made her first appearance of the season.