MADISON, Wisc. (11-23-25) - Detroit Mercy had three players in double figures, led by junior
Makayla Jackson, who posted a team-high 14 points while matching a career-best five steals defensively as the Titans hung tough with Wisconsin in an 81-63 setback on the Kohl Center on Sunday afternoon. Graduate student
Aaliyah McQueen added 12 points with two steals, while graduate student
Nisea Burrell scored a Titan career-high 10 points with two assists, two steals, and three boards.
Sophomore
Maya Anderson just missed reaching double figures with nine points and four rebounds, while freshman Naïma Diawara had a breakout performance with a season-high seven points and a team-best six boards.
Detroit Mercy (1-3) recorded 11 steals for the second consecutive game and caused 19 Wisconsin (6-1) turnovers. The Titans were aggressive on the offensive end, taking the ball to the basket and getting to the free-throw line, where they made 17-of-25 attempts (68%) compared to 7-of-12 (58.3%) for the Badgers.
3-point shooting proved to be the difference as Wisconsin shot 12-for-27 (44.4%), including 5-for-6 in the fourth quarter, while UDM went 4-for-21 from long range.
Jackson hit an and-1 lay-up but missed the ensuing free throw to give UDM a 6-5 lead halfway through the first quarter. Wisc. closed the frame on a 7-4 clip to lead, 16-10.
The Badgers pushed ahead to lead by 11 points, 27-16, at the 4:41 mark of the second quarter before a Jackson layup, a 3-pointer from McQueen, and a Diawara layup pulled the Titans within seven points at 32-25 going into halftime.
After Wisconsin opened the third quarter on a 15-7 run to move ahead, 47-33, UDM battled back once again with a 9-3 run of their own, cutting the deficit to eight points, 50-42, with 1:01 left. The Badgers added a pair of free throws and a layup to lead 54-42 going into the fourth.
In the fourth quarter, Detroit Mercy could not match Wisconsin's hot shooting as the Badgers shot 10-15 (66.7%) with five triples to pull ahead for good.
The Titans welcome in-state and Big Ten power #6 Michigan to Calihan Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 5 p.m.
