GRAND FORKS, ND (11-7-22) - Sophomore
Emma Trawally Porta had quite the all-around performance scoring nine points while grabbing a career-best 11 rebounds with four blocks just missing her career-high by one. Junior
Irene Murua added six points and grabbed a career-high 17 boards as Detroit Mercy battled before falling 70-61 at North Dakota in season opening action on Monday night at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center.
After scoring 20 points in exhibition action last week, freshman
Amaya Burch poured in a team-high 15 points on 6-for-10 shooting with four rebounds in her official collegiate debut. Fellow freshman
Myonna Hooper also added nine points on 3-of-5 shooting from 3-point range with four assists. Senior
Imani McNeal was the only other Titan in double figures with 10 points. Junior
Maite Lara Garcia also chipped in with seven points.
Detroit Mercy (0-1) was dominant on the boards crashing the glass with 49 rebounds and 20 offensive boards that led to 20 second-chance points. North Dakota (1-0) held a 38-24 points in the paint advantage and 18-7 mark in points off turnovers to offset the 20-10 second-chance point discrepancy.
After the Fighting Hawks extended their lead to 15 points to open the fourth, Detroit Mercy once again clawed back to within nine points, 64-55, with 6:11 to go. However, ND was able to push the lead back to 15 points for a second time, 70-55 with 1:43 remaining. The Titans didn't quit, ending the game on a 6-0 run before falling 70-61.
McNeal and Burch hit a pair of 3-balls to pull the Titans within eight points at 47-39 to open the third quarter. The Titans actually cut to eight points on two more occasions but could not inch any closer as they trailed by 13 heading into the fourth quarter, 60-47.
In the second quarter, ND increased their lead 17 points. Detroit Mercy used an 8-3 spurt to stay within striking distance to trail by 13 points,45-32, heading into the locker room.
ND opened the game on a 11-5 run and hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer for a 10-point lead, 25-15, after the first quarter. Hooper came off the bench and connected on a driving lay-up followed by a 3-pointer for her first collegiate points. Burch also hit a 3-pointer to open scoring for the Titans for her first collegiate points.
Detroit Mercy continues their first road swing of the 2022-23 campaign at Xavier on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m.
