DETROIT (8/10/2021) -- The University of Detroit Mercy women's basketball team continues to add to its roster as interim head coach
LaTanya Collins has announced the addition of three student-athletes for the upcoming 2021-22 season.
The three student-athletes set to join the Titans are
Janna Lewis (Louisville, Ky. / Northern Kentucky),
Daija Moses (Toronto, Ont. / Rider) and
Irene Murua (Arrasate, Spain / Louisiana Tech).
"We are really happy with this transfer group," Collins said. "These young ladies are talented basketball players, excellent students and high character people. Janna, Daija and Irene are all team-oriented and have a strong desire to do well. They will be key factors in our success this season. I can't wait to see how quickly they pick up the system and establish their roles within what we do here at Detroit Mercy."
The trio of Titans are Division I transfers from various programs across the country. Murua has competed in one season of collegiate basketball, while both Lewis and Moses are graduate transfers after seeing time across four collegiate seasons. With the addition of the three transfers, the Titans have 10 players currently on the 2021-22 roster.
Take a look at the new Titans:
Janna Lewis // Forward
Year: Graduate
Height: 5'10"
Hometown: Louisville, Ky.
High School: Butler Traditional
Previous Schools: Northern Kentucky, Motlow State
Accolades (Previous Schools): Played in 16 games across two seasons at Northern Kentucky (2019-21), averaging 2.0 points and 1.6 rebounds in those contests ... Saw time in 15 contests during her first season at NKU in 2019-20, averaging 2.1 points and 1.7 caroms per contest ... Season highs in 2019-20 were seven points and seven rebounds ... Had a standout two-year career in junior college, playing for Motlow State from 2017-19 ... Earned Second Team NJCAA All-America honors and was the 2019 TCCAA Offensive Player of the Year and co-MVP ... Totaled 1,153 points, 585 rebounds and 102 assists across two seasons with Motlow State ... Averaged 22.7 points and 11.3 rebounds per game.
(High School): A 2017 graduate of Butler Traditional High School, helping lead the Bearettes to two state titles and a 119-17 record in four seasons ... Was named state tournament MVP for District 22 in 2016 and also won a shot put state title in track and field ... Father played football at Tennessee State.
Collins on Lewis: "I am excited to have Janna play for me this season. She is familiar with who I am as a coach and I am familiar with who she is as a player. Janna is very passionate about basketball and cares about her performance, her team and winning. She is strong around the basket and knows how to score the ball. Her passion, drive and intensity will be very necessary this season."
Daija Moses // Guard-Forward
Year: Graduate
Height: 5'10"
Hometown: Toronto, Ont.
High School: Henry Street
Previous School: Rider
Accolades (Previous School): Played in all four seasons for Rider from 2017-21, seeing time in 114 games (31 starts) ... Averaged 3.6 points and 2.8 rebounds in Rider career, which included averaging career-highs of 7.4 points, 4.8 caroms and 1.6 assists per contest during her senior season (25 games, 16 starts) in 2020-21 ... Ranked third on the squad in rebounding as a senior and scored in double figures seven times ... Shot 70.6% from the free throw line (60-for-85) in Rider career ... Totaled 405 points, 316 rebounds, 97 assists, 88 steals and 20 blocks in four seasons ... Made 26 3-pointers in 25 games as a senior and shot a career-best 45.2% from the floor (42-of-93) as a junior in 2019-20 ... Scored in double figures 10 times total for Rider and posted career-highs of 15 points and 10 rebounds in senior campaign ... A three-time MAAC All-Academic Team honoree and earned the team's Coaches' Award ...
(High School): A 2017 graduate of Henry Street High School ... Earned All-State Team MVP and Team MVP honors as well as being voted as a team captain as a senior ... Received honor roll accolades three times ... Played club basketball with Toronto Matrix and 'A' Game.
Collins on Moses: "Daija has excellent on-court leadership. She started some games at Rider and we will rely heavily on her experience. Her ability to finish around the basket with contact will help us in improving our scoring this season."
Irene Murua // Forward
Year: Sophomore
Height: 6'1"
Hometown: Arrasate, Spain
High School: Arizmendi Ikastola
Previous School: Louisiana Tech
Accolades (Previous School): Played in 18 games as a freshman for Louisiana Tech in 2020-21 ... Averaged 1.4 points and 2.1 rebounds per game for the Bulldogs, totaling 25 points and 41 rebounds (21 offensive, 20 defensive) ... Shot 44.4% from the floor (12-for-27) ... Scored a season-high nine points against Jackson State and pulled down season-highs of eight rebounds in first two collegiate games against McNeese State and Grambling.
(High School): A 2020 graduate of Arizmendi Ikastola ... Was a three-time regular-season MVP from 2016-19 and was the top scorer and rebounder on the team ... Averaged 18.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game as a junior ... Named MVP of the finals in 2017-18 and 2018-19 ... Helped club team, Ointxe Araski, to third place in the Spanish Championship.
Collins on Murua: "I am looking forward to seeing Irene's development over the course of the year. Irene is a versatile player who can finish around the rim. If she stays committed to her growth, she could definitely contribute this season."
Stay tuned to more information regarding the Titan women's basketball program.
