Box Score in html

Box Score in pdf.

YPSILANTI, Mich. -- The Detroit women's basketball team put together another second-half run and this time the Titans were able to complete the comeback as a 17-3 charge in the final six minutes propelled UDM to a 62-60 victory over in-state rival Eastern Michigan on Wednesday.

Junior Lauren Allen (Rochester Hills, MI/Rochester) led the way with 14 points and a team-best six assists, while sophomore Dominique Dixon (Detroit, MI/Renaissance) netted a career-high 13 points and sophomore Demeisha Fambro (Detroit, MI/Crockett Tech) added 12.

Detroit (4-4) was down by a dozen, 57-45, with 6:05 remaining when the Titans turned up the heat on Eastern Michigan (5-5), outscoring the Eagles 17-3 down the stretch. Dixon started the charge with a 3-pointer to get the deficit to single digits, but an EMU free throw would see Detroit go back down by 10.

Junior Jalesa Jones (Detroit, MI/Pershing) then hit a pair of free throws and that was followed by an Eagles' offensive foul. On the Titans next possession, freshman Senee Shearer (Detroit, MI/Pershing) nailed a triple, and the rookie wasn't done as she quickly got back into her defensive position forcing a turnover, which resulted in another 3-pointer as Jones found Allen open on the left wing and Detroit was done by just two, 58-56. 

“That was a big play by a freshman,” said head coach Autumn Rademacher . “She is capable of making some big plays and as she gets comfortable in practice and gets in the game more, she will be more relaxed and ready to go and that is what you saw out of her today.”

Both teams then went nearly two minutes without scoring until an EMU basket made it 60-56 with 2:40 left on the clock, but that was quickly sliced as Allen hit another three. The Titans defense did their part forcing yet another turnover and when they got the ball back, Dixon connected on a jumper to give Detroit its first lead since early in the second period.

Detroit then put the game away as the defense stiffened to force its fifth turnover in the last five minutes. Detroit could not get that last basket to fall in the final minute, but the Titans grabbed two offensive rebounds, including an impressive board by Jones as she battled under the rim to get her own miss and she was eventually fouled with less than five seconds left.

Jones would go on to hit 1-of-2 from the line giving Eastern Michigan once last chance at a tie or the win, but Cassie Schrock's shot was too strong giving Detroit the triumph. 

“It was déjà vu all over again,” said Rademacher. “I watched that Saint Joseph's ending and I have been sick ever since because we allowed them to get to close to the basket and they got the score that tied the game and tonight, it was nice to see us jump out and that let a few seconds run off the clock and the shot didn't go in.”

Sophomore Yar Shayok (Ottawa, ON/Hillcrest) ended the night with a team-high eight boards to go with six points, while junior Talicia Washington (Auburn Hills, MI/Avondale) had seven rebounds and four points. Jones put together a strong line with four points, five rebounds and five assists.

The Titans started the game on an 8-1 run to take an early seven-point advantage. Detroit kept its lead throughout most of the first half, increasing it to eight at one point, 22-14, but an 8-0 run by the Eagles in the final four minutes of the first period gave the home team a one-point lead at the half.

Detroit will play game six of its seven-game road swing on Saturday as the Titans travel to the Hoosier State to take on IPFW with tip-off set for 11:00 a.m.

Game Notes:
Shearer's five points matches her season high set in the season opener against Oakland…Jones has now grabbed five or more rebounds in five of her last six games…After outrebounding its last two opponents by a +25 margin, UDM was edged in the battle of the glass by one, 39-38…Tavelyn James of EMU was held to 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting after posting 27 points against the Titans last year…Detroit is now 3-1 against the MAC this season…The Titans are also 3-1 against in-state opponents.