DAYTON, Ohio (11-18-23) - For the second time this season, Detroit Mercy placed four players in double figures led by senior
Irene Murua who posted a game-high 21 points (just missing her career-high of 23 by two points) going 8-for-13 from the field and perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line while just missing a double-double grabbing nine rebounds. Junior
Emma Trawally Porta just also missed a double-double with 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting and 1-for-1 from long range, nine rebounds and three blocks as the Titans used impressive shooting from the field, 3-point range, and the free throw line to roll past Dayton, 76-60, to claim their second road win of the season on Saturday afternoon at the UD Arena.
Detroit Mercy's (3-2) offensive efficiency proved to be the difference. The Titans shot season-highs in field goal percentage with a blistering 27-for-59 (55.1%), 6-for-12 (50.0%) from 3-point range, and 16-of-17 (94.1%) from the free throw line just missing the school record of 95.6% set in 1991.
Freshman
Makayla Jackson had a break-out game scoring in double figures for the first time with 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting with a 3-pointer and two assists. Sophomore
Myonna Hooper also had 12 points going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line, 2-for-3 from long range while dishing out a career-best six assists coming off the bench. Freshman
Paris Gilmore chipped in eight points going 2-of-2 from the free throw line with three assists.
Buckets were hard to come by as both defenses stood tall to start with the Titans holding just a 6-4 lead by the first media timeout. UDM went on to take a 12-10 lead to close out the quarter shooting 55.6% from the field.
The Titans opened the second quarter on a 10-2 run to take a 22-12 lead. Dayton (1-3) responded with a 9-2 spurt to pull within three points at 24-21. UDM responded with a 7-0 spurt to move back up by 10 points for the second time, 31-21. The Flyers again countered with a 9-3 run to trim the deficit to 34-30. Murua connected on a buzzer-beater bucket to give the Titans a six-point lead heading into the locker room, 36-30.
Both teams battled back and forth for the majority of the third quarter. However, Detroit Mercy went on a crucial 7-0 run down the stretch to close the frame and take a 56-49 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
The Titans opened the fourth quarter on a 9-2 run for their biggest lead of the game at 14 points, 65-51, and never looked back.
Detroit Mercy continues their six-game road swing with a pair of games at the GATA Turkey Throwdown beginning against SC Upstate on Friday, Nov. 24 at 2 p.m.
