YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (2-25-26) - Graduate student
Jasmine Edwards posted her second consecutive double-double and team-best ninth overall with 11 points and 12 rebounds as Detroit Mercy had a strong first half to lead 34-32 at the break, but could not overcome the third quarter in a 72-60 setback at the #HLWBB second-place team Youngstown State on Wednesday night at the Zidian Family Arena at Beeghly Center.
Overall, Detroit Mercy (5-23, 3-16 HL) had three players in double figures, led by graduate student
Aaliyah McQueen with 13 points, along with 11 points from junior
Makayla Jackson.
Graduate student
Nisea Burrell added eight points with six boards, while freshman Naïma Diawara chipped in with six points, going 2-for-2 from the field, 1-for-1 from 3-point range. Senior
Myonna Hooper also added five points.
In the first quarter, Edwards connected on an and-1 lay-up and hit the ensuing free throw, giving the Titans an 11-10 lead by the first media timeout at 4:53. UDM's offense then went cold over the next four minutes before sophomore
Addisen Mastriano hit a baby hook, ending a 6-0 YSU (22-8, 15-5 HL) run pulling the Titans within three points at 16-13 and the end of the first.
The Titans opened the second quarter on fire, hitting 4-for-6 from long range with 3-pointers from Burrell, Jackson, Hooper, and McQueen to take a 29-25 lead, forcing a YSU timeout at the 5:12 mark. Edwards added three more free throws, followed by a jumper from Jackson with 38 seconds left, as the Titans outscored YSU 21-16 overall to take a 34-32 lead at halftime.
The third quarter proved to be the difference as YSU opened on a 7-0 run before a tough layup by McQueen ended the spurt. However, the Penguins outscored UDM 12-4 to lead 44-38 at the 5:00 minute mark. YSU extended its run to 24-4 before Burrell connected on a much-needed 3-pointer as UDM was outscored 25-7 overall in the frame to trail 57-41going into the fourth quarter.
The Titans mounted a charge, opening the fourth quarter on an 11-4 run highlighted by five points from Diawara on a 3-pointer, layup, and free throw, cutting the deficit to 11 points at 64-53. After YSU moved ahead by 15 points, Burrell got a tip-in, followed by a McQueen layup to trail by 11 points again at the 1:42 mark. However, UDM could not pull any closer despite holding the Penguins to 0-for-7 from long range for the frame.
Detroit Mercy hosts Northern Kentucky for Senior Day Saturday, Feb. 28, at 1 p.m.
