DETROIT (11/11/2016) – It was a memorable night in Calihan Hall as head coach
Bacari Alexander '99 earned his first win at his alma mater as the University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball team rolled past Adrian, 99-69, on Friday night.
Coach Alexander starred at Detroit Mercy from 1996-1999 and was part of back-to-back 25-win campaigns and NCAA Tournament wins in the late 90's.
Five Titans scored in double figures and senior
Jarod Williams tallied his first career double-double with 10 points and a career-best 10 rebounds. Freshman
Corey Allen had 16 points and sophomore
Gerald Blackshear Jr. tied his career-high with 12 markers. Senior
Chris Jenkins posted 14 points and five rebounds and junior
Jaleel Hogan ended with 12 points and five boards.
After seeing Adrian lead by as many as five in the first half, the Titans used a 22-11 run late in the period and through the first six minutes in the second half to come up with the victory for coach Alexander.
Overall, Detroit Mercy outscored Adrian, 60-31, after leading by just one at the break, 39-38.
The Titans used some long-range offense to surge ahead as a three by sophomore
Josh McFolley made it 44-38, another three by Jenkins saw the Titans go up 48-40 and later on, a triple by junior
DeShawndre Black made it a 10-point advantage, 59-49, with 14:16 remaining.
From that point on, the Titans' offense was too hot for the Bulldogs as Detroit Mercy kept raising its lead, eventually leading to the 30-point triumph.
The Titans shot 48.6-percent in the game (34-of-70) with 12 triples. Detroit Mercy also owned the glass to the tune of a 44-32 margin on the boards. The red, white and blue also forced 17 turnovers – turning those in 26 points – and posted a 30-10 advantage on second-chance opportunities.
McFolley finished with eight points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals and Black had four assists to go with his six points. Freshman
Cole Long added six points and six caroms and classmate
Ed Carter III handed out a game-high five assists.
Adrian came out hitting the long ball knocking down its first four 3-pointers of the game as the Bulldogs battled the Titans right from the start. Detroit Mercy did have an 11-6 lead just five minutes in, but Adrian was able to jump ahead. Allen hit a three to put the Titans back in front, 21-19, at the 9:49 mark, but the Bulldogs went on an 11-3 run to surge ahead, 30-24, with 6:24 remaining.
The Titans answered that with a 7-0 run as McFolley nailed a triple, Williams hit two free throws and Blackshear Jr. jammed it in for a 35-33 lead, and as the half was coming to an end, Blackshear Jr. came up with a steal and a thunderous dunk gave the red, white and blue a 39-38 advantage at the half.
Detroit Mercy will now embark on a four-game road swing as the Titans visit East Tennessee State on Monday, Nov. 14. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m. (EST).
Game Notes:
The Titans are 19-6 all-time now against Adrian and have now won nine in a row over the Bulldogs… The game was an exhibition for Adrian… Jenkins scored the first basket of the year for Detroit Mercy… Blackshear's previous career high in points was 12 against Northeastern last year… Williams' previous career best in rebounds was six at Youngstown State in 2015… Detroit Mercy is 83-19 in its last 102 home games against non-league schools, including 7-0 dating back to last season… Detroit Mercy has won 31 in a row against non-Division I teams... The Titans are 81-29 all-time on opening day, with two years in the early 1900's unknown due to record keeping… Titan head coaches are 13-8 in their head coaching debut with the last win by Ricky Byrdsong, 64-53, against Rice in 1988… All 12 players in uniform scored for the Titans… It was Veteran's Day as the Titans honored veterans and active military members and a few local veterans who were part of the Tuskegee Airman Inc., Detroit Chapter…
