CINCINNATI, Ohio (11-10-22) - Sophomore
Emma Trawally Porta's solid play continued as she posted her first career-double matching a career-best 10 points with 10 rebounds while going 2-for-2 from 3-point range and dishing a career-best three assists with four blocks defensively for the second consecutive game in the losing effort as Detroit Mercy fell 71-57 at Xavier on Thursday night at the Cintas Center.
Detroit Mercy had three other players reach double figures as junior
Irene Murua scored a team-high 12 points on 6-of-10 shooting with eight rebounds followed by freshman
Amaya Burch who added 11 points while grabbing seven rebounds. Senior
Imani McNeal also had 11 points with three rebounds and three assists. In her first career start, freshman
Myonna Hooper
chipped in with seven points with a team-best five assists and three rebounds.
Detroit Mercy (0-2) jumped out to a hot start out the gate shooting 5-for-7 and 2-for-3 from long range to take a 12-6 lead. The Titans shot 53.3% (8-for-15) from the floor and 60% (3-for-5) from 3-point range to take a five point lead after the first quarter, 22-16.
However, the second quarter proved the difference as Xavier (2-0) closed the frame on a 13-0 run over a 2:55 span totaling a 19-2 spurt over the last 5:09 to outscore the Titans 26-8 for a 12 point halftime lead at 42-30.
The Titans remained in striking distance for the most of the third quarter but once again the Musketeers went on a later run, this time with a 6-0 spurt to close out the frame to take a 13 point lead, 61-48, into the fourth and never looked back.
Xavier was also able to take advantage of 18 Detroit Mercy turnovers while only committing eight for the game which led to a 25-6 points off turnovers advantage.
Detroit Mercy returns to Calihan Hall to host Canisius for the home opener on Sunday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m.
