DETROIT (12/27/2018) -- The University of Detroit Mercy women's basketball team opens league play Friday evening, hosting Youngstown State for a 5 p.m. contest in the Horizon League opener for both teams. The game from Calihan Hall may also be seen live via ESPN3.com and the WatchESPN Applications.

The game is also the women's basketball alumni night from Calihan Hall with all former Titans welcomed back for an alumni game, pregame reception and halftime ceremony. Festivities the day of the game begin at 2 p.m. with the alumni game. All former players and their families get into the game for free.
 

Game 12 // Detroit Mercy (2-9, 0-0 HL) vs. Youngstown State (8-3, 0-0 HL)
Dates / Time	Friday, Dec. 28 // 5:00 PM ET
Location / Tickets	Detroit, Mich. (Calihan Hall) // Tickets
Live Stats	Sidearm Stats
Live Stream	ESPN3.com / WatchESPN Applications
Social Media	Twitter (In-game Tweets): @Detroit_WBB | Facebook | Instagram
All-Time Series	Titans lead, 23-20 // Last Meeting: YSU 72, Titans 52 (2/3/18)

Quick Hits
• Detroit Mercy and Youngstown State and meeting for the 44th time ever in women's basketball with the Titans holding a 23-20 series lead and 15-6 advantage in home games. The Titans have opened Horizon League play with YSU in three of four seasons with head coach Bernard Scott at the helm.

• Titan freshman Sophia DiMilia notched the second Detroit Mercy double-double of the season and her first career with 14 points and 10 rebounds in the Dec. 21 setback at Toledo.

• Sophomore Lexey Tobel leads the squad in scoring at 12.4 points per game, which also ranks 10th among league scorers. She has made a team-high 17 triples through 11 games.

• Detroit Mercy ranks fourth in the Horizon League in steals with 90 in 11 games (8.2 per game). The Titans have tallied 10 or more steals in five games with a high of 16 against Omaha.

Last Time Out
Four Titans scored in double figures and freshman Sophia DiMilia tallied her first career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds but Detroit Mercy fell at Toledo last Friday, 77-60, from Savage Arena. Brittney Jackson was one off her career-high with 14 points, while Lexey Tobel added 11 and Zoey Oatis had 10.

DiMilia was 9-for-9 from the free throw line -- sinking all of her attempts in the first half. She had four offensive rebounds among her 10 total and added two assists, one block and one steal. Jackson sank seven free throws as the Titans were 23-for-34 from the foul line. She added a team-best three assists. Ashley Miller, a Toledo native, added nine points on 4-of-5 shooting.

The Titans trailed early but rallied to within nine points, 65-56, in the third quarter at Toledo behind a 20-point third quarter. The Rockets pulled away down the stretch in the fourth quarter.

Horizon League History Under Coach Scott
The Titans are 25-29 all-time under head coach Bernard Scott, including a 23-13 mark in the first two seasons. Detroit Mercy is 14-13 in Horizon League home games under Scott in his three seasons at the helm of the program. In 2016-17, the Titans had a perfect 9-0 mark in league home games, while the red, white and blue recorded a 7-2 mark on the road in league games during his first campaign in 2015-16. Detroit Mercy is 3-3 all-time against Youngstown State under coach Scott.

Scouting Youngstown State
The Penguins tied for the Horizon League lead with eight victories during non-conference play, starting the year 4-0 which included wins over Robert Morris, Loyola (Ill.) and on the road at Pittsburgh. Other triumphs include over MAC foe Akron and Canisius on the road. YSU is 2-2 in road games this season.

Alison Smolinski is one of four Penguins scoring in double figures at 13.5 points per game. She also leads the Horizon League and is among the nation's leaders at 3.5 3-pointers made per game. Sarah Cash (12.5 ppg), Mary Dunn (11.4 ppg) and Chelsea Olson (10.1 ppg) also average in double figures. Olson ranks 19th in scoring, fourth in rebounding (8.2 rpg) and third in assists (4.2 apg) in the Horizon League. Melinda Trimmer leads the HL in assists per game (4.4) and assist-to-turnover (4.8).

All-Time Series
The Titans hold a 23-20 lead over the Penguins in the all-time series, dating back to 1983. Detroit Mercy is 15-6 against YSU in home contests.

The Titans are also 3-3 under head coach Bernard Scott against Youngstown State, starting 3-1 in the first two seasons before dropping both meetings in 2017-18. Scott is a past assistant coach for the Penguins, coaching for YSU for two seasons from 2008-10.

Up Next
Detroit Mercy returns to the court on Sunday, hosting Cleveland State for a 1 p.m. game from Calihan Hall. It's Dollar Sunday against the Vikings with fans getting into the contest for just $1 and concessions stand selling hot dogs and fountain drinks for just $1 each.