MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (1-24-24) - Junior Emma Trawally Porta led the way with a team-high 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting, 1-for-2 from long range, and a perfect 3-for-3 from the free throw line while grabbing eight rebounds and matching a career-best two steals while Detroit Mercy's lockdown defense propelled the Titans to a 56-39 #HLWBB win at Robert Morris on Wednesday night. 

RMU's (6-14, 2-9 HL) 39 points were the second-lowest opponent output since Detroit Mercy (13-8, 6-4 HL) held EMU to 38 points in the season opener. Additionally, the Titans also held the Colonials to just 14-for-63 (22.2%) from the field which marked the lowest opponent shooting percentage of the season eclipsing the 25% mark by EMU.

Freshman Makayla Jackson recorded 10 points (just missing her career-high by two points) on 4-for-6 shooting with three rebounds coming off the bench while graduate student Imani McNeal added another all-around performance with nine points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

Freshman Paris Gilmore chipped in with eight points while sophomore Amaya Burch added seven points while grabbing a season-high nine boards. Senior Irene Murua also grabbed eight rebounds with five points as Detroit Mercy (13-8, 6-4 HL) held a big 43-28 advantage on the glass.

In the first quarter, UDM's defense held RMU to just two points before the Colonials hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer for only their second field goal of the frame. Both teams only combined for seven total field goals as the Titans led 15-5 at the end.

After UDM moved ahead 20-9 at the 8:36 mark of the second frame, neither team scored from the field until RMU hit a layup with 5:44 left. After Murua hit a free throw, RMU connected on back-to-back layups followed by a Trawally-Porta and two more Murua free throws. The Colonials tried to hit their second 3-pointer at the buzzer but Murua was able to block Simone Morris' attempt giving the Titans a 10-point lead, 25-15, at the half. 

After RMU hit a 3-ball to open the third, the Titans ripped off a 10-0 run to take a commanding 35-18 lead and never looked back. The Colonials responded with the 8-3 spurt to inch closer at 38-26. A steal and layup from Jackson ended the frame with UDM ahead 41-27.

The Titans went on to outscore RMU 15-12 to cruise to their second league road win of the season.

Detroit Mercy returns to Calihan Hall for a #HLWBB showdown against Cleveland State on Saturday, Jan 27, at 1 p.m.