DETROIT (12/5/2015) -- Freshman Josh McFolley netted a season-high 20 points, and the Titans forced Northeastern into 24 turnovers as the University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball team defeated the Huskies, 76-73, on Saturday in historic Calihan Hall.

McFolley led four Titans in double figures as junior Chris Jenkins had 14 points with six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Freshman Gerald Blackshear finished with a season-high 12 points with five rebounds and sophomore Jaleel Hogan and senior Anton Wilson ended with 10 apiece.

Detroit (3-3) rebounded from its tough loss on the road at nationally-ranked Vanderbilt during the week to beat a Northeastern (6-2) team that defeated No. 15/19 Miami last week. 

In a game that featured eight lead changes and five ties – including five lead changes and two ties in the last 5:17 – Detroit took the lead for good on a McFolley 3-pointer with 2:29 left to go up 71-69. After a free throw by NU, Jenkins grabbed an offensive board and was fouled, knocking in two free throws for a 73-70 lead with two minutes remaining.

Northeastern cut it to one again, 73-72, and had a chance to take the lead, but missed a three as Wilson corralled the carom and was fouled, hitting two more free throws for a 75-72 advantage with 22 seconds left. Northeastern had two looks at a game-tying 3-pointer after that, missing both, and a free throw from senior Carlton Brundidge sealed the triumph.

Hogan and Wilson each had five rebounds, with Hogan adding a career-high four steals and coming away with two blocks and three assists. Wilson had two helpers, and Brundidge tallied three assists as well.

Detroit shot 48.3 percent (29-of-60) with eight 3-pointers and was 10-of-11 (90.9%) at the charity stripe. The Titans also had a season-best 13 steals and forced the Huskies into a season-high 24 turnovers, finishing with a 27-9 points off turnover margin. The Titans controlled the points in the paint (36-20) and second-chance points (9-2).

The red, white and blue came out with a lot of enthusiasm and energy scoring the first eight points of the game and forcing a couple of Northeastern turnovers right out of the gate. McFolley and Wilson had back-to-back triples and Jenkins added a layup in that span. 

The Titans would extend their lead to as many as 10, 23-13, midway through the first, but the pesky Huskies went on a 14-2 run to jump out in front, 27-25, at the 5:47 mark. Detroit then trailed, 32-31, with 3:49 left, but it ended the half on an 11-5 spurt for a 42-37 advantage at the break.

UDM upped its lead to nine in the second half, the latest at 50-41, on back-to-back steals and layups from Hogan and Jenkins, but Northeastern would score nine in a row to knot it at 50-50. The Titans answered with a 9-0 run of their own and then led, 61-52, with 9:28 left when the Huskies came back to take the lead three times in the final five minutes. 

The Titans will return to action on Wednesday, Dec. 9, as they host Toledo on Star Wars night. The game is part of a Titan doubleheader with the women facing IPFW at 5:00 p.m., and the men to follow at 7:30 p.m.

For tickets, call 313-993-1700 or visit detroittitans.com/tix. 

Game Notes:
The game was the start of a four-game homestand and a stretch that will see Detroit play nine of 11 at home… This was the fourth career meeting between the two schools and Detroit now leads the all-time series, 3-1… Detroit is now 6-1 all-time against current members of the Colonial Athletic Association with a 3-1 mark versus Northeastern, 2-0 over James Madison and 1-0 against William and Mary… Northeastern came into the game averaging just 13.3 turnovers per game… It was the second time this season that Detroit has had five players in double figures in scoring… The Titans hit 10, 3-pointers marking the fourth time this season they have hit 10 or more, after accomplishing that only three times all of last season… The 24 turnovers by Northeastern was the most by a Titan opponent since Arizona State had 24 in the NIT game in 2013… The 13 steals were the most since posting 13 at Valparaiso last season…