DETROIT (3-4-25) -  Sophomore Makayla Jackson picked the perfect time to have her best game in a Titan uniform as she poured in a career-high 25 points shooting a blistering 10-of-12 from the field, 2-for-3 from 3-point range and a perfect 3-for-3 from the free throw line to lead No. 6 Detroit Mercy to a 73-62 win over No. 11 Milwaukee in 2025 Barbasol #HLWBB Championship first round action on Tuesday night at Calihan Hall. Junior Myonna Hooper came up clutch scoring all of her 15 points in the second half on 6-of-10 shooting and 3-for-5 from long range with three assists. Jackson and Hooper combined for 12 points sparking a late 14-0 fourth quarter run which proved to be the difference. With the win, the Titans advanced to the quarterfinal round for the second consecutive season where they will travel to No. 3 Cleveland State on Thursday, Mar. 6 at 5:30 p.m.

Graduate student Emaia O'Brien added 13 points going 3-for-6 from long range with six rebounds and five assists while freshman Kailey Starks just missed a double-double with nine points and eight rebounds. Graduate student Jasmine Edwards chipped in with six points and five boards, and freshman Anna Lassan grabbed a career-best three steals defensively.

Hooper scored nine points in the third quarter as Detroit Mercy (15-14) led by six points, 53-47, heading into the fourth quarter. However, Milwaukee (8-24) ripped off a 10-2 run to open the fourth quarter to lead by two points, 57-55, at the 4:59 media timeout.  The Titans responded with a 14-0 run of their own as Hooper connected on two triples along with two layups and a pair of free throws from Jackson coupled with a tip-in from Starks, putting the Titans ahead for good at 69-57 with 1:47 left. O'Brien added a pair of free throws followed by a Starks layup that sealed the win.

The first half was nip and tuck with UDM holding a 16-11 lead after the first quarter. The Panthers outscored the Titans 18-13 to draw even at 29-29 at the break.