YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (11-30-23) - Behind hot shooting from sophomore Myonna Hooper who poured in a career-high 16 points on a blistering 7-for-10 from the field with four rebounds and three assists, Detroit Mercy posted a 59-50 win at Youngstown State on Thursday night at the Beeghly Center. The win snapped a 10-game skid against the Penguins and was the first #HLWBB season-opening victory since the 2016-17 season. The Titans (5-3) have already matched their win total from last season on the last day of November.

Senior Irene Murua posted her second double-double of the season with 14 points on 4-for-9 shooting with 10 rebounds and 6-for-10 from the free throw line. Senior Jada Moorehead added eight points on shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from the field while junior Emma Trawally Porta also had eight points going 4-for-5 from the charity stripe.

Detroit Mercy's aggressive play set the tone as the Titans held a huge advantage from the free-throw line going 15-23 (65.2%) while YSU (2-5) only went 4-for-5 from the line.

After YSU led 10-9 in the first quarter, UDM outscored the Penguins 11-5 to move ahead 21-15 by the 8:35 mark of the second quarter. The Titans then closed out the half in style, ripping off a 9-2 run to take a 32-25 lead into the locker room.

UDM came out on fire with a quick 11-4 spurt capped off by Hooper's 3-pointer to take a 14-point lead at 43-29 at the 3:04 mark of the third quarter and held a 10-point, 45-35, lead heading in the fourth quarter.

YSU pulled within eight points at the 5:42 mark but that would be as close they could get as UDM maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the way to close out the win.

Detroit Mercy continues #HLWBB play with a Metro Series showdown against Oakland on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 1 p.m. at Calihan Hall.