YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO (2-11-23) - For the second consecutive game sophomore
Emma Trawally Porta put forth an amazing performance scoring 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting going 2-for-3 from 3-point range and 3-for-3 from the free throw line while grabbing seven boards with three blocks as Detroit Mercy gave Youngstown State all they could handle before coming up short, 72-67, in #HLWBB action on Saturday afternoon at the Beeghly Center. Junior
Irene Murua also posted a double-double for the second consecutive game and the fifth time of the season with 10 points and a team-high 13 rebounds.
Senior
Imani McNeal poured in 17 points on 5-of-11 shooting going a perfect 7-for-7 from the charity stripe with three assists. Freshman
Myonna Hooper matched a career-best dishing out five assists while chipping in with six points while junior
Lucia Fleta Robles also matched a career-high with four helpers. Freshman Ana Cabañas Llorens drained both of her 3-pointers to finish with six points.
For the game, Detroit Mercy (4-21, 2-14 HL) shot a season second-best 13-for-14 (92.9%) from the free throw line and went 6-for-16 from 3-point range marking the fourth time this season the Titans have hit six or more from behind the arc.
The game was a battle from start to finish as Trawally Porta picked up where she left off against RMU starting the game on fire scoring 11 of the Titan's 16 points in the first quarter as they held a 16-13 advantage.
YSU took advantage of two fouls on Trawally Porta to claw back into the game but the Titans' offense was able to still be productive capped off by Cabañas Llorens' clutch 3-pointer before the end of the half giving Detroit Mercy 14 points to keep the game even at 30-30 heading into the locker room.
During the third quarter, YSU shot 8-for-14 (57.1%) but the Detroit Mercy hung tough and would not let the Penguins pull away. In the final seconds of the frame, freshman
Amaya Burch hit a big 3-pointer putting the Titans up 50-48 with 10 seconds left before Lilly Ritz hit a lay-up to beat the buzzer to tie the game at 50-50 heading into the fourth quarter.
YSU came out on a 12-2 run to open the fourth quarter to take a 10-point lead at 62-52 before a pair of McNeal free throws ended the spurt. The Penguins were still up 10 points, 64-54, before
Detroit Mercy answered with an 8-0 run to pull within two points at 64-62 with 1:46 left. Trawally Porta converted a 3-point play to pull the Titans within a point, 66-65, with 1:00 remaining.
YSU then added a free throw to go up two, 67-65 with 40 seconds left. The Titans committed a costly turnover and were forced to foul to extend the game. YSU add another pair of free throws to move ahead by four points, 69-65, with 24 seconds left after the Titans missed a 3-point attempt and added three more from the charity stripe to close out the game.
Detroit Mercy closes out the #HLWBB home slate against IUPUI on Senior Night on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m.
