DETROIT (11/29/23) – Fresh off the holiday weekend, the Detroit Mercy women's basketball team opens #HLWBB action at Youngstown State on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 6:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast live from the Beeghly Center on ESPN+ with Drae Smith on the call.
 
Notes:
On the Road Again:
The game at YSU concludes a six-game road swing for the Titans which started at Butler followed by Michigan State, Dayton, South Carolina Upstate and Georgia Southern.
 
A Look at the Penguins: YSU is 2-4 on the season with wins over Xavier and Slippery Rock. The Penguins are led by fifth-year senior forward Emily Saunders in scoring (11.2 ppg) and rebounds per game (6.5). Fifth-year senior guard Dena Jarrells leads the team in assists per game (3.8).
 
All-Time Series: YSU leads the all-time series 27-23 and has won the last 10 consecutive meetings. UDM's last win was an 83-67 decision on Feb. 25, 2017.
 
A win would…
Snap a 10-game skid against the Penguins and would be the first time the Titans won an #HLWBB opener since the 2016-17 season when they defected Valparaiso 85-60 on Dec. 29, 2016.
 
Last Time Out: GATA Turkey Throwdown Recap
Game 6: Detroit Mercy 59 at Georgia Southern 81 (11/25/23)
Senior Irene Murua posted a team-high 17 points on 7-of-8 shooing and 3-for-3 from the free throw line as Detroit Mercy concluded GATA Turkey Throwdown play with an 81-59 setback to host Georgia Southern on Saturday afternoon at Hanner Fieldhouse. Graduate student Imani McNeal was the only other Titan to reach double figures with 10 points going 2-for-4 from 3-point range. Sophomore Amaya Burch added eight points with junior Emma Trawally Porta grabbing a team-best eight rebounds along with six points.
 
Game 5: Detroit Mercy 71 vs USC Upstate 64 (11/24/23)
First time since the 2001-02 season Detroit Mercy has started 4-2 as the Titans held off South Carolina Update, 71-64, to kick off play at the GATA Turkey Throwdown on Friday afternoon at Hanner Fieldhouse. Junior Latifa Amzil's play in the first half provided the second quarter spark the Titans needed as she was perfect scoring 16 points on 6-for-6 shooting from the field, 3-for-3 from 3-point range, and 1-for-1 from the free throw line. In her first start of the season, sophomore Myonna Hooper added 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting while senior Irene Murua added eight points going 4-of-9 from the field with a team-high 10 rebounds.
 
It's Been Awhile:
• The win over USC Upstate was the first time since the 2001-02 season UDM started with a 4-2 record and marked the first time the Titans won two consecutive games since the 2016-17 season.
• UDM's win at Dayton moved marked the first time since the 2010-11 season the Titans started with a 3-2 record.
• Detroit's Mercy's win over Chicago State moved the Titans to 2-0 to start the season for the first time since the 2010-11 season.
• The Titans won both games by a 30-point and 35-point margin. The last time the UDM posted back-to-back 30-point wins was during the 2012-13 season when they defeated Lourdes, IPFW and Madonna.
• UDM's win over EMU snapped a four-game skid against the Eagles
• The win also marked the Titans' first season-opening win since the 2018-19 season
• Additionally, it was UDM's first season-opening road win since the 2016-17 season
• It also was the Titans' first win over a Mid-American Conference (MAC) opponent since the Titans defeated the Eagles, 77-64, on Dec. 6, 2016.

Amzil with the Ammo:
• Junior Latifa Amzil provided a spark off the bench play scoring a career-best 16 points on a perfect 6-for-6 shooting from the field, 3-for-3 from 3-point range, and 1-for-1 from the free throw line in the first half to lead Detroit Mercy to a win over South Carolina Update.
• She added two points with a career-best seven rebounds in the setback at Georgia Southern.
 
Marvelous Murua:
• Senior Irene Murua leads the team in scoring (11.1 ppg) and ranks second in rebounds per game (7.4 - 3rd HL).
• Murua averaged 12.5 ppg, 6.5 rebounds per game, 1.5 assists per game, shooting a blistering 10-for-17 from the field (58.8%) with two blocks to lead Detroit Mercy to a 1-1 record at MSU and Dayton.
• 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 to lead the Titans over Dayton for their second road win of the season.
 
She's a Hooper:
• Sophomore Myonna Hooper leads the team in assists (20) and assists per game (2.9 – 11th HL).
• In her first start of the season, she added 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting in the win vs USC Upstate (11/24)
• Scored 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 in the win over Dayton.
• Matched a career-high with 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting and 3-for-5 from 3-point range with three assists coming off the bench vs Chicago State (11/10).
• Had 12 points going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line, 2-for-4 from 3-point range coming off the bench
 
Hot from the Field:
• Murua also leads the team in field goal percentage shooting a blistering 63.0% from the floor.
• McNeal ranks second on the team shooting 42.3% from the field.
 
Get that Outta Here:
• Junior Emma Trawally Porta is picking up where she left off last season leading the team in blocks (11) and blocks per game (1.6 – 3rd HL) and being a defensive force in the paint.
• She posted a season-high three blocks at EMU and Dayton.
• Last season, she led the HL and ranked 18th in the nation in blocks per game (2.2) and total blocks (62) which ranked 26th Nationally.
• She also posted four or more blocks in nine games with a career-high six blocks at WSU (2/25) and five vs MKE (2/5).
 
All-Around Emma:
• Trawally Porta also leads the team in rebounds per game (8.0 – 2nd HL).
• She just missed a double-double with 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting and 1-for-1 from long range with nine rebounds and three blocks in the win at Dayton.
• Over the first three games of the season, Trawally Porta averaged 8.3 ppg, 11.0 rebounds per game, 2.0 assists per game, 1.0 steals per game with six total blocks (2.0 per game) to lead Detroit Mercy to a 2-1 opening week record.
• Posted first double-double of the season with 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting with 11 rebounds, three blocks and two assists in season-opening win at EMU (11/6) which marked the Titans' first season-opening win since the 2018-19 season and first season-opening road win since the 2016-17 season. It also was the Titans' first win over a Mid-American Conference (MAC) opponent since the Titans defeated the Eagles, 77-64, on Dec. 6, 2016.
• Grabbed a game-high 14 boards just missing a career-high of 15 while scoring five points with two blocks and matching a career-high three steals defensively in the home opening win vs Chicago State (11/10) that moved the Titans to 2-0 to start the season for the first time since the 2010-11 season.
• Scored 10 points hitting a career-best 3-for-3 from 3-point range while grabbing eight rebounds with two assists and a block in 7-point setback at Butler.
 
Fabulous Freshman:
• Freshman Paris Gilmore was named Armour® #HLWBB Freshman of the Week (11/13).
• Averaged 10.0 ppg, 1.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals per game to lead Detroit Mercy to a 2-1 opening week record.
• Had quite the collegiate debut scoring a team-best 13 points on 3-of-7 from 3-point range with two boards, a steal, and an assist in the season-opening win at EMU (11/6) which marked the Titans' first season-opening win since the 2018-19 season and first season-opening road win since the 2016-17 season. It also was the Titans' first win over a Mid-American Conference (MAC) opponent since the Titans defeated the Eagles, 77-64, on Dec. 6, 2016.
• Added eight points with two steals and an assist in home opening win vs Chicago State (11/10) that moved the Titans to 2-0 to start the season for the first time since the 2010-11 season.
• Chipped in with nine points going 3-for-4 from the charity stripe with two assists at Butler (11/12).
 
Jackson Solid Off the Bench:
• Freshman Makayla Jackson is making an impact coming off the bench.
• Averaged 9.0 ppg., 2.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 8-for-16 (50.0%) from the field with two blocks to lead Detroit Mercy to a 1-1 record at MSU and Dayton.
• Scored six points with two assists, two rebounds and a career-best two blocks coming off the bench at Michigan State.
• Had a break-out game scoring in double figures for the first time with a career-best 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting with a 3-pointer, two assists, and two boards helping the Titans over Dayton for their second road win of the season.
 
Real Deal McNeal:
• Graduate student Imani McNeal had a solid all-around game scoring nine points and grabbing four rebounds while dishing out four assists and matching a career-high with four steals defensively at Butler (11/12).
• Leads the team in steals (10) and steals per game (1.4).
• Reached double figures at EMU (10 pts) and vs Chicago State (11 pts.)
 
All-Around Offense:
• Detroit Mercy's offensive efficiency from all three phases proved to be the difference in the win at Dayton
• 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.
 
Suffocating Defense:
• The Titans' lock-down defense held Chicago State to 17-for-60 (28.3%) from the field.
• They also held the EMU to only seven points in the first quarter and nine points in the fourth and 14-for-56 (25.0%) shooting overall.
 
Guard the Arc:
• The Titans held the Cougars to just 1-for-14 from 3-point range and EMU to just 2-of-15 (13.3%) from behind the arc.
• Over the first two games of the season, both teams shot a combined 3-for-29 (10.3%) from beyond the arc against the Titans' perimeter defense.
 
Crash the Boards:
• The Titans grabbed 54 rebounds with 23 against Chicago State
• UDM grabbed 51 total rebounds with 17 offensive boards that led to 13 second-chance points.
 
Down Low Dominance:
• UDM scored 50 of its 83 points in the paint against Chicago while posting 34 of 68 points in the paint at EMU.
 
Give Me That:
• The Titans grabbed a season-high 14 steals against CSU and eight at EMU.
 
Zone Busters:
• Detroit Mercy took advantage of EMU's zone by shooting a blistering 9-for-20 (45.0%) from 3-point range and 28-for-60 (46.7%) from the field.
 
Double-Double Tandem:
• Trawally Porta had 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting with 11 rebounds and three blocks at EMU.
• Murua added 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting with 10 boards at EMU.
 
Time for some MACTION: The season-opener at EMU was the first of three MAC opponents on Detroit Mercy's schedule. The Titans play at Western Michigan (Dec. 6) followed by Northern Illinois (Dec. 10).
 
Squad Breakdown: The Titans will take the floor this season with seven returners and eight newcomers for a total of 15 student-athletes.
 
Murua Name to 2023-24 #HLWBB Preseason All-League Second Team:
Senior forward Irene Murua was named to the 2023-24 #HLWBB Preseason All-League Second Team.
 
Returning Starters (6):
Murua - 2022-23 Highlights:
• Started in all 30 games
• Led the team in scoring (12.1 – 15th HL); led the HL in offensive rebounds per game (3.3) while ranking third in field goal percentage (51.7%); also ranked fourth in HL in rebounds per game (8.1).
• Led the Titans in field goals (152), steals (3) steals per game (1.1)
• Also led the team with six double-doubles while reaching double figures a team-best 21 times
• Grabbed double-digit rebounds in 10 games with a career-high 17 at North Dakota.
• Poured in a career-high 23 points on 9-of-12 shooting and a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line just missing a double-double with nine rebounds at Oakland (2/20).
 
Imani McNeal - 2022-23 Highlights:
• Started in 19 of 25 games played
• Named to the 2022-23 College Sports Communicators Academic (CSC) Academic All-District® NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Team
• Led team and ranked third in HL in free throw percentage (83.1). Ranked second on the team in points per game (9.9) and steals (24).
• Scored a team-high 16 points on 7-for-15 shooting and 2-for-3 from 3-point range with four rebounds while matching a season-best four assists at PFW (2/28).
• Scored in double figures 12 times including seven of the last nine games after returning from injury against CSU (1/26).
• Poured in a career-high 23 points on 6-of-9 shooting while adding a career-best 11-for-12 from the free throw line vs Miami Hamilton (12/8).
 
Emma Trawally Porta - 2022-23 Highlights:
• Started in 24 of 28 games played
• Named to the 2022-23 College Sports Communicators Academic (CSC) Academic All-District® NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Team
• Led the HL and ranked 18th in the nation in blocks per game (2.2) and total blocks (62) which ranked 26th Nationally.
• Posted four or more blocks in nine games with a career-high six blocks at WSU (2/25) and five vs MKE (2/5).
• Scored in double figures 10 times with three career double-doubles and also led the team in field goal percentage (53.8)
• Grabbed double-digit rebounds in seven games
 
Amaya Burch - 2022-23 Highlights:
• Saw action in 28 games making 17 starts
• #HLWBB All-Freshman Team selection
• Scored in double-figures 12 times while grabbing 10 boards or more in three games.
• Tied for second on the team with three double-doubles.
• Led the team in 3-point field goals (29), ranked third in rebounds per game (4.7).
 
Myonna Hooper - 2022-23 Highlights:
• Saw action in all 30 games making 26 starts
• Led the team in assists (58) and assists per game (1.9).
• Reached double figures five times while grabbing a career-best seven rebounds four times.
• Dished out a career-best five assists in three games
 
Lucia Fleta Robles - 2022-23 Highlights:
• Saw action in all 30 games making 21 starts
• Ranked second on the team in assists (53) and assists per game (1.8) and third in 3-pointers (14).
• Reached double figures in five games.
• Had eight points with five rebounds and three assists in the Titans' first win in program history over IUPUI (2/16).
 
Other Returners (1):
Jada Moorehead - 2022-23 Highlights:
• Saw action in 28 games with three starts
• Scored seven points while grabbing a career-high eight rebounds in her double-double attempt vs Green Bay (2/3).
• Added five points going 3-for-4 from the free throw line in the Titans' first #HLWBB win of the season over RMU (1/7).
 
Newcomers (8):
These newcomers will look to make an immediate impact.
2 Makayla Jackson G - Alexandria, Va./Bullis School
3 Jaida Hampton Gr. - G Lansing, Mich./East Lansing (SIUE)
10 Paris Gilmore Fr. G - Youngstown, Ohio/Warrensville Heights
11 Cyd Rivera Gr. G - Woodside, NY / Lutheran High North (Pepperdine)
12 Maddie Diabate Jr. G - Paris, France / Long Island Lutheran (Georgia Highlands)
13 Annika Corcoran R-Sr. G - Chardon, Ohio/Gilmour Academy (Akron)
21 Latifa Amzil Jr. F - Helsinki, Finland/Mäkelänrinne SH (Chipola College)
24 Kamari Forrest Fr. G  - Saginaw, Mich./Saginaw
 
Spanish Conniction: This year's squad features three student-athletes from Spain consisting of three returners in seniors Irene Murua and Lucia Fleta Robles and junior Emma Trawally Porta.
 
Where You From?
Michigan (4) – Myonna Hooper, Jada Moorehead, Kamari Forrest, Jaida Hampton
Ohio (2) – Annika Corcoran, Paris Gilmore
Georgia (1) – Imani McNeal
New York (1) – Cyd Rivera
New Jersey (1) – Amaya Burch
Virginia (1) – Makayla Jackson
Spain (3) – Irene Murua, Lucia Fleta Robles, Emma Trawally Porta
France (1) – Maddie Diabate
Finland (1) – Latifa Amzil
 
Achter Era Continues: Head Coach Kate Achter (OCK-terr) begins her second season after building a solid foundation during her first season. Under Achter's guidance during the 2022-23 campaign, the women's hoops squad increased their win total by four games beginning with a win over Canisius which snapped a 24-game home court losing skid. The Titans also secured a series sweep over Robert Morris in #HLWBB play and also upset defending league champion IUPUI for the first time in program history. Additionally, Amaya Burch (the coaching staff's first recruit) earned All-Freshman Team honors after scoring in double-figures 12 times while grabbing 10 boards or more in three games. She also led the team in 3-pointers made (29) while ranking second with three double-doubles and third in rebounds per game (4.7).
 
Coaching Staff Promotions: Nicole "Colie" Shelwick was promoted to Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator while  Andrea Cecil was promoted to Assistant Coach.
 
2023-24 Horizon League Preseason Poll: Detroit Mercy was picked to finish 10th in the 2023-24 Under Armour #HLWBB Preseason Poll as voted on by each member institution's Head Coach and announced by the league office.
 
Season Rewind:
Game 5: Detroit Mercy 76 at Dayton 60 (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 also missed a double-double with 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting and 2-for-2 from long range with 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.
 
 Game 4: Detroit Mercy 44 at Michigan State 105 (11/16/23)
Sophomore Myonna Hooper also added nine points on 4-for-6 shooting with two assists and five rebounds while senior Jada Moorehead scored nine points on 4-for-5 shooting as Detroit Mercy fell 105-44 at Michigan State on Thursday night at the Breslin Center. Makayla Jackson chipped in with six points, two assists and two blocks for second consecutive game while senior Lucia Fleta Robles added five points. Junior Latifa Amzil  connected on her first a 3-point bucket of the season. Freshman Kamari Forrest scored two points with a steal and a rebound in her Titan debut.
 
Game 3: Detroit Mercy 61 at Butler 68 (11/12/23)
Graduate student Imani McNeal had a solid all-around game scoring nine points and grabbing four rebounds while dishing out four assists and matching a career-high with four steals defensively as Detroit Mercy battled but came up short, 68-61, in their first loss of the season at Butler on Sunday night. The Titans had two players in double-figures led by junior Emma Trawally Porta who had 10 points hitting a career-best 3-for-3 from the 3-point line while grabbing eight rebounds with a block. Senior Irene Murua also added 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting with nine boards.
 
Game 2: Detroit Mercy 83 vs Chicago State 48 (11/10/23)
For the second consecutive game, Detroit Mercy delivered a dominating offensive and defensive performance to roll past Chicago State, 83-48, in home-opening action on Friday night at Calihan Hall. Sophomore Myonna Hooper matched a career-high with 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting and 3-for-5 from 3-point range with three assists. Graduate student Imani McNeal added 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting with three steals while sophomore Amaya Burch also had 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting with three helpers to round out the three players in double figures.
 
Detroit Mercy moved to 2-0 to start the season for the first time since the 2010-11 season and has won both games by a 30-point and 35-point margin. The last time the Titans posted back-to-back 30-point wins was in 2012 with the last back-to-back 20-points wins happening during the 2017 season.
 
Game 1: Detroit Mercy 68 at Eastern Michigan 38 (11/6/23)
Detroit Mercy delivered a dominating performance on both sides of the ball with efficient offense and suffocating defense en route to a 68-38 thumping over in-state rival Eastern Michigan to tip off the 2023-24 season on Monday night at the George Gervin GameAbove Center. The Titans had four players in double figures
 
Field Trip Day!!
Exhibition: Detroit Mercy 82 vs Lake Erie 32 (11/1/23)
In perpetration for the season, Detroit Mercy hosted Lake Erie College in an exhibition game that was part of Field Trip Day where the Titans welcomed student from multiple grade schools from the Metro Detroit area. UDM had four players in double figures in Amaya Burch (16 pts.), Emma Trawally Porta (11 pts.), Paris Gilmore (11 pts.) and Makayla Jackson (10 pts.).