DETROIT (11-25-24) – After a win over Western Michigan, the Detroit Mercy women's basketball team will look to win its second consecutive game over an in-state rival as the Titans take on Eastern Michigan on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live from Dick Vitale Court at Calihan Hall on ESPN+ with Denny Kapp (play-by-play) and Tara Fricke (analyst) on the call.

Lending a Helping Hand:
Detroit Mercy and Eastern Michigan are teaming up off the court to support local families and youth in need as both athletic departments are joining forces for a Winter Clothes Drive to collect coats, hats, and gloves to benefit local families in need. Fans who bring a new or gently worn winter clothing item to the women's game Calihan Hall (Nov. 26) or the men's game at EMU in Ypsilanti, Mich. (Nov. 30) will receive a free ticket. (One donated item equals one ticket.)
• All items will support Ozone House, a vital nonprofit organization based in Washtenaw County that has provided support to homeless and at-risk youth since 1969. Each year, Ozone House serves approximately 1,300 homeless youth in the area, offering them a safe haven and the resources to lead productive and healthy lives.

Mitten State Match-Ups:
• UDM's game against Eastern Michigan is the third consecutive battle against an in-state rival following Michigan State (11/20) and Western Michigan (11/23).
 
Time for some MACTION:
• The game against Eastern Michigan is UDM's is the final of three home installments against teams from the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
• The 73-66 season-opening win over BGSU (11/8) was the first, followed by a 72-63 victory over Western Michigan (11/23).
• Last season, UDM went 2-1 against MAC competition, opening the season with a 68-38 win at Eastern Michigan (11/6) followed by a 62-59 victory at Western Michigan (12/6) and a 75-66 setback at Northern Illinois.
 
A Look at the Eagles:
• Eastern Michigan is 0-4 on the season following a 94-49 setback against Purdue Fort Wayne.
• The Eagles finished the 2023-24 season 7-22 overall and 3-15 in conference play.
• Junior forward Sisi Eleko leads the team in scoring (21.3 ppg) and in rebounds per game (12.0).
•  Graduate student guard Mackenzie Amalia leads the squad in assists per game (6.3).
 
All-Time Series:
• Detroit Mercy leads the all-time series 16-15.
• UDM's win over EMU last season snapped a four-game skid against the Eagles and 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 and was the Titans' first win over a Mid-American Conference (MAC) opponent since they defeated the Eagles, 77-64, on Dec. 6, 2016.
 
A win would…
• Give UMD its second consecutive win over EMU for the first time since the 2012-13 season.
• Secure a season sweep from the Titans against all three opponents from the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
 
EMU Rewind:
Nov. 6, 2023 - Detroit Mercy 68 at Eastern Michigan 38
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. UDM's win over EMU snaps a four-game skid against the Eagles, marks the first season-opening win since the 2018-19 season, and is the first over a Mid-American Conference (MAC) opponent since the Titans defeated the Eagles, 77-64, on Dec. 6, 2016.
 
Detroit Mercy (1-0) took advantage of EMU's (0-1) zone by shooting a blistering 9-for-20 (45.0%) from 3-point range and 28-for-60 (46.7%) from the field. The Titans' lock-down defense held the Eagles to only seven points in the first quarter and nine points in the fourth while limiting them to just 14-for-56 (25.0%) shooting from the floor and 2-of-15 (13.3%) from behind the arc. UDM also crashed the boards with 51 total rebounds and 17 offensive rebounds that led to 13 second-chance points.
 
The Titans had four players in double-figures led by junior Emma Trawally Porta and senior Irene Murua who picked up where they left off from last season as they both posted double-doubles. Trawally Porta had 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting with 11 rebounds and three blocks while Murua also added 10 points on 5-of-8 shooting with 10 boards
 
Last Time Out: Titans Buck Broncos Behind Late Fourth Quarter Run
Game 4 - Detroit Mercy 72 vs Western Michigan 63 - Nov. 23, 2024:
With Detroit Mercy trailing 53-52 and 6:11 remaining in the fourth quarter, UDM went on a 16-4 run to close out Western Michigan, securing a 72-63 win to stay unbeaten at Calihan Hall on Saturday afternoon. After going scoreless in the first half, junior Myonna Hooper came up clutch, scoring all eight of her points in the fourth quarter, including converting two-and-1 layups with ensuing free throw makes to spark the Titan run. In addition to the late run, Detroit Mercy (3-1) shot a season-best 10-for-17 (58.8%) from 3-point range, which proved to be the difference.
 
Graduate student Emaia O'Brien posted a team-high 18 points, going 4-for-6 from 3-point range and a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line, while fifth-year senior Aaliyah McQueen scored 15 points with 12 coming in the second half, going 5-for-7 from the field and 3-for-4 shooting from long range.
 
Graduate Student Jasmine Edwards had a solid all-around game once again, just missing a double-double with nine points and eight rebounds with two assists, three steals, and two blocks defensively. Freshmen Kailey Starks also posted her second consecutive impressive effort with nine points, four boards, two assists, and two steals. Senior Alize Tripp chipped in with six points while freshman Anna Lassan connected on her first collegiate 3-pointer.
 
Keep it Going:
• UDM's 73-62 win over Western Michigan marked the first time the Titans defeated the Broncos in consecutive games since the 2012-13 season.
• The Titans' win over BGSU snapped a 10-game skid against Head Coach Kate Achter's alma mater and was the first win over the Falcons since a 67-62 decision on Nov. 20, 2002.

I'll Take That:
• Detroit Mercy ranks second in the Horizon League in steals per game (10.50).
• Individually, the Titans have three players ranked in the top 10 in the league in steals per game: Aaliyah McQueen (2.0 – T-3rd), Emaia O'Brien (1.8 – T-6th), and Makayla Jackson (1.5 – T-10th).
 
From Way Downtown:
• In addition to the late fourth-quarter run, Detroit Mercy shot a season-best 10-for-17 (58.8%) from 3-point range, which proved to be the difference in their 72-69 win over the Broncos.
• McQueen ranks second in the HL in 3-point field goal percentage (47.6) and third in 3-pointers per game (2.5).
 
Make Em' Count:
• The Titans also have three players ranked in the top 10 in the league in free throw percentage: Kailey Starks (85.7 – T-3rd), McQueen (71.4 – 8th), and Myonna Hooper (69.6 – 10th).
 
Crash the Boards:
• As a team, Detroit Mercy ranks fifth in the Horizon League in rebounds per game (36.5) and defensive rebounds per game (26.3) while ranking third in rebounding margin (4.3).
• Last season, Detroit Mercy led the Horizon League in rebounds per game (37.6), total rebounds (1242), defensive rebounds per game (27.3), and rebounding margin.
• Two players rank in the HL top 10 in rebounds per game: Aaliyah McQueen (7.0 – 4th HL), and Jasmine Edwards (5.8 – 10th HL).
 
Q Making Quite the Impact:
• Fifth-year senior Aaliyah McQueen, known to the team as "Q", leads the team in scoring (13.5 – 10th HL), rebounds per game (7.0 – 4th HL), and 3-pointers (10), steals (8), and steals per game (2.0).
• After scoring seven points at undefeated Michigan State, McQueen bounced back, scoring 15 points with 12 coming in the second half, going 5-for-7 from the field and 3-for-4 shooting from long-range helping Detroit Mercy to a 72-63 win over Western Michigan.
• Followed up her debut by scoring a team-high 16 points, shooting 4-for-9 from the field, 3-for-6 from 3-point range, and 5-for-6 from the free throw line with two assists while grabbing four rebounds and four steals defensively, helping the Titans hand Bellarmine their first loss of the season (11/16).
• Had a solid Titan debut posting a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds on 6-of-12 shooting and 3-for-6 from behind the arc with four assists in UDM's season-opening win over BGSU snapping a 10-game skid against the Falcons (11/8).
• She is the first player to post a double-double in her Titan debut since Ellisha Crosby had 15 points and 11 boards at Canisius in 2013.
 
Biggie Breaking Out:
• Graduate student and Detroit, Mich. native Emaia "Biggie" O'Brien is third on the team in scoring (11.0) and third in rebounds per game (5.8).
• Posted a team-high 18 points, going 4-for-6 from 3-point range and a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line in 72-63 win over WMU (11/3).
• Had quite the homecoming as the third player in double figures with 12 points, going 2-for-6 from behind the arc in UDM's season-opening win over BGSU snapping a 10-game skid against the Falcons (11/8).
• Scored in double figures with 11 points with six rebounds, two assists, and two steals in UDM's win over Bellarmine (11/16).
 
She's a Hooper:
• Junior guard Myonna Hooper ranks second on the team in scoring (12.3), assists per game (2.5), field goal percentage (51.7), and third in rebounds per game (5.8).
• Came up clutch, scoring all eight of her points in the fourth quarter, including converting two-and-1 layups with ensuing free throw makes which sparked a late 16-4 Titan run in UDM's 73-63 win over WMU (11/23).
• After being named Under Armour® Horizon League Player of the Week last week, Hooper posted a team-high 16 points, going 4-for-5 from the free throw line in UDM's win over Bellarmine (11/16).
 
Hooper Named Under Armour® #HLWBB Player of the Week:
• Hooper was named Under Armour® Horizon League Player of the Week announced by the league office on Monday (11/11).
• The West Bloomfield, Mich. native, poured in a career-high 24 points on 7-for-9 shooting, 2-for-4 from 3-point range, and 8-for-11 from the free throw line, with four assists and two boards to lead Detroit Mercy to a solid 73-66 season-opening win over Bowling Green.
• UDM's win snapped a 10-game skid against Head Coach Kate Achter's alma mater and was the first win over the Falcons since a 67-62 decision on Nov. 20, 2002.
 
Starks with the Spark off the Bench:
• Freshman Kailey Starks averaged 11.0 ppg., with eight rebounds (4.0 rpg) and six steals (3.0 spg) while shooting a blistering 7-for-10 (70.0%) from the field and 8-for-10 (80%) from the free throw line to lead Detroit Mercy to a 1-1 record for the week.
• Tied for the team lead in steals (8) and steals per game (2.0).
• Posted her second consecutive impressive effort off the bench, scoring nine points while grabbing four boards with two assists and two steals, helping Detroit Mercy to a 72-63 win over Western Michigan (11/23).
• Had a solid breakout game against some tough competition, scoring a career and team-high 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the floor and 5-for-6 from the free throw line with a career-best four steals defensively coming off the bench at undefeated Michigan State.
 
Edwards Doing Work Down Low:
• Graduate student Jasmine Edwards has been a force in the paint as she ranks second on the team in rebounds (5.8 – 10th HL).
• Had a solid all-around game, just missing a double-double with nine points and eight rebounds with two assists, three steals, and two blocks defensively, helping Detroit Mercy to a 72-63 win over Western Michigan (11/23).
• Just missed a double-double with 11 rebounds and nine points, going 5-for-8 from the charity stripe in UDM's win over Bellarmine (11/16).
 
Jackson Earned Starting Spot:
• After seeing action in 33 games last season, sophomore Makalya Jackson has earned a spot in the starting lineup.
• Leads the team in blocks (3).
• Was one of four players in double-figures with 10 points going 4-for-5 from the free throw line while posting a career-high with four steals in UDM's win over Bellarmine (11/16).
• Chipped in with six points matching career-high with two steals and blocks in season-opening win over BGSU snapping a 10-game skid against the Falcons (11/8).
 
Help is on the Way:
The Detroit Mercy women's basketball team has added newcomer Cameron McMaster as a part of the 2025-26 recruiting class, announced Head Coach Kate Achter.
 
Cameron McMaster (6-3) – F
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
High School: Orangeville Prep Academy
 
Highlights:
• Three-year letter winner under Head Coach Greg Firth
• Named Orangeville Prep Academy Player of the Year (2023-24)
• Ontario Scholastic Basketball Association (OSBA) Second-Team All-Star selection (2023-24)
• Named to All-Canadian Games Future Stars (2023-2024)
• Helped Orangeville Prep earn a Gold Medal in the North American Indigenous Games (2023) and a Silver Medal in the OSBA Trillium (2023-24).
• Bronze Medalist for Team Alberta (2024)
• Averaged 18 ppg and eight rebounds per game as a junior
• Scored career-high 30 points against Bill Crothers
• Posted a triple-double against St. Francis High School
• Three-year member of the Calgary Basketball Academy and one-year member of Kia Nurse (EYCL & EYBL)
 
Squad Breakdown: The Titans will take the floor this season with four returners and 10 newcomers totaling 15 student-athletes.
 
International Flavor: This year's squad features two student-athletes from two different countries in returners Maddie Diabate (France) and Latifa Amzil (Finland).
 
Where You From?
Michigan (7) – Maya Anderson, Jasmine Edwards, Myonna Hooper, Anna Lassan, Aaliyah McQueen, Emaia O'Brien, Alize Trip.
Indiana (3) – Katie Burton, Chanteese Craig, Addisen Mastriano
Illinois (1) – Kailey Starks
Virginia (1) – Makayla Jackson
France (1) – Maddie Diabate
Finland (1) – Latifa Amzil
 
What a Season it Was: After building a solid foundation during her first season, Head Coach Kate Achter (OCK-terr) begins her third season after leading an epic program turnaround during the 2023-24 campaign.
 
In just her second season, Achter completely transformed the program leading Detroit Mercy to a 17-16 (9-11 HL) record during the 2023-24 campaign, marking the first winning season since the 2016-17 season. The 12-win improvement over last year was the biggest turnaround in school history and one of the tops in the nation as the Titans won just 19 total games the previous six years combined. UDM's nine #HLWBB wins were also the most since the 2016-17 season, including wins over 2023-24 #HLWBB Regular Season champion Cleveland State and third-place finisher Purdue Fort Wayne.
 
Additional 2023-24 Season Milestones:
• No. 6 seed Detroit Mercy's 59-48 first-round win over No. 11 seed RMU was their first #HLWBB Championship first-round victory since the 2016-17 season.
• With the 64-59 win over IUPUI, Detroit Mercy recorded their 16th regular season, which is the highest win total since the 2016-17 season. The win also earned the No. 6 seed in the 2024 Barbasol #HLWBB Championship, which is the highest seed since the Titans were a No. 3 seed in the 2017 HL Tournament and advanced to the championship game against Green Bay.
• The Titans finished non-conference play with a 7-4 record for the first time in 31 years since the 1991-92 season including wins over Midwest programs in Bellarmine, Dayton, Eastern Michigan, and Western Michigan.
• Detroit Mercy went 11-5 to start the season for the first time in over two decades since the 1999-00 season. During that season, the Titans started 15-4 and ended 18-9 overall and 9-5 in MCC (Mid-Western Collegiate Conference) play.
• UDM's win over RMU (2/8) completed the series sweep over the Colonials for the second consecutive season.
• During the week of Jan. 29, UDM received two votes in the 2023-24 College Insider.com Mid-Major Poll for the first time since the 2012-13 season.
• UDM's win over CSU snapped a six-game skid against the Vikings.
• The Titans' win over Milwaukee snapped an 11-game skid against the Panthers.
• UDM's win over PFW snapped a five-game skid against the Mastodons.
• Detroit Mercy's win over Northern Kentucky snapped a 13-game skid against the Norse.
• The victory over arch-rival Oakland snapped a 12-game skid against the Golden Grizzlies and was the Titans' first #MetroSeries win since 2017.
• UDM's win at Youngstown State snapped a 10-game skid against the Penguins and marked the first time the Titans won a #HLWBB opener since the 2016-17 season when they defeated Valparaiso 85-60 on Dec. 29, 2016.
• The Titans' over WMU snapped a seven-game skid against the Broncos.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• UDM's win over EMU snapped a four-game skid against the Eagles and 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 and was the Titans' first win over a Mid-American Conference (MAC) opponent since they defeated the Eagles, 77-64, on Dec. 6, 2016.
 
Sticking Around:
• After leading the historic turnaround last season, Head Coach Kate Achter agreed to a contract extension through the 2028-29 season.
 
Coaching Staff Promotions: Assistant Coach Kiefer Haffey was promoted to Associate Head Coach and Co-Recruiting Coordinator while Assistant Coaches Juanita Cochran and Andrea Cecil were elevated to Co-Recruiting Coordinator and Director of Player Development respectively.
 
Capaldi Joins the Staff: Antonio Capaldi joined the staff as an Assistant Coach will assist in player development and comes to the Titans after spending two seasons as an Assistant Coach on the women's basketball staff at Alma College in Michigan.
 
In his tenure at Alma, Capaldi aided in the development of three All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) selections in Taylor Sas (First Team and Second Team) and Brooke LeRoux (Second Team).
 
During the 2023-24 campaign, Capaldi helped lead the Scots to a 9-7 MIAA mark and 13-13 overall record with historic wins over two ranks opponents in No. 4 Hope College and No. 21 Wittenberg University for the first time since 1993.
 
Before Alma, Capaldi was an Assistant Coach with the Concordia (Mich.) women's basketball staff under then-Head Coach Haffey.
 
2024-25 #HLWBB Preseason Poll: Detroit Mercy was picked to finish eight in the 2024-25 Under Armour #HLWBB Preseason Poll with 39 points as voted on by each member institution's Head Coach and announced by the league office.
 
Season Rewind:
Game 3 - Detroit Mercy 44 at Michigan State 101 - Nov. 20, 2024:
Freshman Kailey Starks had a solid breakout game against some tough competition, scoring a team-high 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting from the floor and 5-for-6 from the free throw line with four steals defensively as Detroit Mercy suffered their first lost of the season with a 101-44 setback at Michigan State on Wednesday night at the Breslin Center.
 
Fifth-year senior Aaliyah McQueen added seven points with six rebounds, while senior Alize Tripp chipped in with six points, going a perfect 4-4 from the charity stripe. Sophomore Makayla Jackson also added six points, with freshman Anna Lassan scoring five points, going 3-for-4 from the free throw line.
 
Four Titans Score in Double Figures in Win Over Bellarmine
Game 2 - Detroit Mercy 73 vs Bellarmine 71 - Nov. 16, 2024:
Detroit Mercy had four players reach double figures, led by fifth-year senior Aaliyah McQueen and junior Myonna Hooper with 16 each followed by graduate student Emaia O'Brien with 11 points and sophomore Makayla Jackson with 10 points as the Titans defeated Bellarmine 73-71 handing the Knights their first loss of the season on Saturday afternoon.
 
Graduate student Jasmine Edwards just missed a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds. Detroit Mercy (2-0) was active on the defensive end grabbing 16 steals with McQueen and Jackson having four each. The Titans also posted 29 points off 21 Bellarmine (3-1) turnovers.
 
Titans Hold Off Bowling Green to Secure Season Opening Win
Game 1 - Detroit Mercy 73 vs Bowling Green 66 - Nov. 8, 2024:
Junior Myonna Hooper poured in a career-high 24 points on 7-for-9 shooting, 2-for-4 from 3-point range, 8-for-11 from the free throw line, with four assists to lead Detroit Mercy to a solid 73-66 win over Bowling Green in home opening action on Friday night at Calihan Hall. The Titans' win snapped a 10-game skid against Head Coach Kate Achter's alma mater and was the first win over the Falcons since a 67-62 decision on Nov. 20, 2002.
 
It's All About the Kids
Exhibition Game: Detroit Mercy 100 vs UM-Dearborn 53 - Nov. 6, 2024
For the second consecutive season, the game was part of Field Trip Day, where the Titans hosted students from multiple grade schools from the Metro Detroit area to give back to the community.