DETROIT (1/22/22) - Detroit Mercy placed four players in double figures led by sophomore Irene Murua who scored a career-high 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting and 2-of-3 from the free throw line with five rebounds, two assists and two steals as the Titans dropped a hard fought 66-62 Metro Series battle to visiting arch-rival Oakland on Saturday afternoon at Calihan Hall.

Graduate student Daija Moses scored a career-high 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting and perfect 2-for-2 from the free throw line with three steals and a pair of assists. Grad student Brandi Washington reached double figures for the fourth consecutive game with 11 points going 5-for-9 from the floor with five rebounds and two assists. Grad student Janna Lewis added 11 points going 4-for-5 from the charity stripe with four boards.

For the game, Detroit Mercy (0-18, 0-11 HL) shot a season-high 54.5% (24-for-44) from the field. The Titans also shot 76.9 (10-for-13) from the free throw line and have now shot over 70% for the charity stripe for the fifth consecutive game.  

Detroit Mercy held a 51-50 lead to open the fourth quarter. Murua's layup followed by Moses' third 3-pointer of the season capped off the 5-0 Titan run for a 56-50 lead to open the final frame. Oakland (9-8, 7-3 HL) responded as Aaliyah McQueen hit a deep three followed by a Luchenbach layup that tied the game at 57-57 with 4:25 to go. Out of a media timeout, the Golden Grizzlies added a 3-pointer to retake the lead at 60-57. Washington then hit a deep jumper ending Oakland's 11-1 run which pulled Titans within two points 61-59 with 1:43 remaining. 

After Detroit Mercy forced a turnover, Lewis made a driving layup and was found in the process. She converted the and-one free throw pulling the Titans within one point, 63-62, with 23 seconds left. The Titans elected to foul, sending Branne Beatty to the line. After making the first free throw, she missed the second but Breanna Perry swooped in and grabbed a key offensive rebound. Lewis tied up Perry but the possession arrow belonged to the Golden Grizzlies forcing the Titans to foul again after the inbound pass. Kendall Folley then hit both free throws putting Oakland up for good, 66-62, with 15 seconds left. Lewis' ensuing 3-point attempt as time expired fell short. 

Detroit Mercy got off to a good start in the second half with six quick points to pull within one point at 37-36 and then added an 8-2 run to take a 44-39 lead. The Titans went on to shoot 8-for-10 (80%) overall in the third quarter and outscored Oakland 21-18 to take a 51-50 lead heading in the fourth.

In the second quarter, the game was nip and tuck throughout as the Titans shot 5-for-10 (50%) from the field to take a 30-29 lead. However Kahlaijah Dean was fouled on a on 3-point shot before time expired and hit all three free throws to give Oakland a 32-30 lead at halftime. Detroit Mercy opened the first quarter on 5-0 run to take an early 9-8 lead. Both teams played to a 16-16 tie at the end of the frame.

Detroit Mercy opens a four-game road swing at Horizon League leader Youngstown State on Friday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m.