MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (2-9-23) - Sophomore
Emma Trawally Porta delivered a huge performance pouring in a career-high 22 points shooting a blistering 9-for-10 from the field and 4-for-6 from the free throw line while grabbing nine rebounds propelling Detroit Mercy to a 61-55 win over Robert Morris to complete the #HLWBB series sweep of the Colonials. Junior
Irene Murua posted her fourth double-double of the season and 10th of her career with 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting while hauling in 12 rebounds with three assists and two steals. Junior
Lucia Fleta Robles was the third Titan in double figures scoring 12 points while grabbing a career-best eight rebounds with three assists. 50 of Detroit Mercy's 61 points were in the paint with the nine coming from the free throw line. This marked the first Horizon League road win for the Titans since they defeated UIC 72-58 on Dec. 19, 2020.
Senior
Imani McNeal and freshman
Myonna Hooper scored six and five points respectively but it was their clutch plays down the stretch that sealed the game for Detroit Mercy (4-20, 2-13 HL). With the game tied at 55-55 late in the fourth quarter, McNeal took the ball on the right side just past the 3-point line, drove hard to the hoop through traffic, and connected on a layup putting the Titans up 57-55 with 1:28 left in the game. Robert Morris (9-15, 3-12 HL) came down and missed a shot, and was forced to foul. After Trawally Porta split a pair of free throws putting the Titans up by three points, 58-55, with 23 seconds left, RMU committed a costly turnover due to a traveling violation. RMU was once again forced to foul and Hooper calmly stepped up to the line and drained a clutch free throw putting the Titans up by four points, 59-55, with 15 ticks left. The Titan defense then stood tall and got a crucial steal. The Colonials fouled Hooper and she once again delivered this time hitting both from the charity stripe going 3-for-4 from the free-throw line down the stretch to secure the Titans' fourth overall win and second league victory of the season.
RMU posted the first four points to open the third quarter taking their first lead to the game at 31-29 before Trwally Porta answered with consecutive hoops as the Titans responded with a 10-2 run to take a 39-33 lead. The Colonials then hit back-to-back 3-pointers to spark a 12-0 run to close out the frame with a six-point lead, 45-39, heading into the fourth quarter.
In the first half, Detroit Mercy opened the game on fire going 10-15 (66.6%) from the field in the first quarter to take a 21-14 lead. RMU responded opening the second quarter outscoring the Titans 11-4 to draw even at 25-25 before back-to-back lay-ups from Murua and McNeal ended the spurt giving the Detroit Mercy a two-point lead, 29-27, at the half.
Detroit Mercy's road swing concludes at Youngstown State on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 1 p.m.
