ROCHESTER, Mich. (2/16/2025) -- Four Titans scored in double figures, but a last-second shot sent the game to overtime and UDM could not recover as the University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball team fell, 93-83, in a classic #MetroSeries showdown at Oakland on Sunday.

Junior Orlando Lovejoy led the way with 20 points to go with five rebounds, three assists and a block, while junior Legend Geeter had 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Freshman Nate Johnson added 15 points, six boards, three assists and a steal and senior Mak Manciel scored 13 points.

Detroit Mercy (8-19, 4-12 HL) led by as many as eight in the second half, but Oakland (12-15, 9-7 HL) was able to stay in the game. UDM was up by three, 77-74, with less than 20 seconds remaining, but the Golden Grizzles came away with a steal and hit a three to send the game into an extra session. 

In overtime, Oakland got off to a 10-2 run and UDM was just not able to make one final run.

The opening half was a back-and-forth affair, as Oakland took a 22-17 lead at the halfway point of the opening period. Freshman TJ Nadeau responded with a 3-pointer for the Titans however, and quickly made it a two-point game. 

Oakland ended up taking a six-point lead with 6:42 to go in the first half. Detroit Mercy responded with an 8-0 run capped off by a Manciel triple From there, both sides traded baskets for the remainder of the half, with the Titans taking a 42-40 lead into the halftime break. Geeter led the Titans with 13 points, five rebounds, and four assists at the break, while Detroit Mercy shot 47.1% from the field and 46.7% from three. 

A Johnson trey with 14:43 remaining gave UDM a 57-49 advantage, their largest lead of the game. The Golden Grizzlies however refused to back down and quickly cut the deficit to just four with 13:20 remaining. 

Oakland regained the lead with 9:15 to go, but neither side would back down. The Titans and Golden Grizzlies traded baskets much like the first half, with neither side leading by more than five. 

Trailing by three with under three minutes remaining in regulation, Johnson knocked down a huge three for the Titans and tied the game at 73-73 with 2:45 left. After Oakland missed a pair of free throws, the Titans took back the lead again when Johnson layed it up and in. 

There were plenty of whistles in the final minute of regulation, but Detroit Mercy still led 77-74 with under 30 seconds remaining and possession of basketball. Following a timeout, the Titans inbounded the ball, however Oakland was able to steal the ball and hit the game-tying 3-pointer with four seconds left. 

Lovejoy had a chance to answer for the Titans, however his game-winning attempt fell short and Oakland forced overtime. 

In overtime, the Golden Grizzlies began with a 10-2 run en route to outscoring the Titans 16-6 in the final five minutes to seal the victory. 

As a team, the Titans shot 31-of-70 (44.3%) from the field, 10-of-24 (41.7%) from three, and 11-of-13 (84.6%) from the charity stripe. 

Detroit Mercy lost their first overtime game of the season after entering the day 3-0 in overtime affairs this season. 

The Titans will return to Calihan Hall to face IU Indy on Wednesday at 7:00 PM in a #HLMBB showdown. 

Game Notes: