DETROIT (12/17/2016) -- Sophomore
Josh McFolley scored 16 of his game-high 24 points in the second period as the Titans used a second-half offensive and defensive surge to race past Western Kentucky, 85-79, on Saturday afternoon.
McFolley drained six 3-pointers in going 9-of-15 from the field, while also handing out a career-high eight assists and recording three steals. Junior
Jaleel Hogan tied his season high with 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds in just 21 minutes of action. Freshman
Corey Allen added 16 points, two assists and two steals and senior
Chris Jenkins posted 12 points, six rebounds and two assists.Â
The game was back and forth featuring 15 lead changes and nine ties as the Titans found themselves down by six, 63-57, halfway through the second stanza. Detroit Mercy then buckled down on defense and caught fire from the outside going on a 24-9 run over the next six minutes.
During that span, the Titans held WKU to 3-of-7 from the field with a pair of turnovers and on the offensive end, Detroit Mercy was 9-of-11, including 6-of-7 from behind the arc.
Allen started the victory charge with a three. After a WKU free throw, McFolley connected on a triple and then came up with a steal and a layup. After holding the Hilltoppers scoreless on their possession, McFolley located Allen for one of his eight assists as the rookie found the bottom of the net from three for a 68-64 advantage with 7:50 remaining. The lead was extended to seven right after that as McFolley buried another trifecta.
Western Kentucky (4-7) would eventually slow down the Titan attack and get within two, 74-72, with 5:41 left, but the Titans put the game away with seven-straight points. Freshman
Malik Eichler started that spurt with a layup and then Jenkins knocked down one of his three 3-pointers on the day. After another empty trip from WKU, McFolley fed Allen, who cruised to the rim for a basket and the Titans had their biggest lead of 83-74 at the 3:28 mark.
Sophomore
Gerald Blackshear Jr. finished with eight points and freshman
Cole Long added four points, four rebounds, two assists, a block and a steal.Â
The Titans shot 52.4 percent from the field (33-of-63), including 12-of-20 (60.0%) from three. Detroit Mercy also forced 15 turnovers and had eight steals.Â
The win snapped a nine-game slide by the Titans (2-9) as they posted their second home triumph of the season.
The Titans will look to continue their strong play as they host Fort Wayne on Thursday, Dec. 22, in their final non-conference match-up of the season. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. inside historic Calihan Hall.Â
Tickets to all home games start at just $10, $6 for children and seniors. To purchase tickets online, visit detroittitans.com/tix. To purchase over the phone or for more information on game and season tickets, contact Director of Ticket Operations & Sales
Justin Hairston at 313-993-1700 ext. 7301 or at hairstjj1@udmercy.edu.
Game Notes:
This was the fourth career meeting between the two schools as the series is tied at 2-2… The Titans first-ever meeting with WKU was in the 1962 NCAA Tournament in Detroit Mercy's first-ever NCAA appearance… The Titans were 3-of-30 from the outside in the last two games… The Titans committed just 16 fouls, tied for the single-season low with the 16 against Adrian… Detroit Mercy had a 45-19 scoring advantage from the bench… It was the fourth starting five the Titans have used this season… Long made his first collegiate start… Jenkins came into the game 7-of-34 from three on the year, but was 3-of-4 in the contest… Jenkins has been in double digits eight times already on the year… McFolley was in double digits for the fourth-straight game… McFolley's previous career high in assists was six against Cleveland State last season… McFolley nailed seven 3-pointers at ETSU earlier this season en route to a career-high 25 points… Hogan's career high is 20 points last year at home against Oakland…
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