The Library Media — Sports · Sports Desk
Detroit Mercy Pulls Away From North Dakota for 84-59 Victory
By Megan McCarthy
Photo: X96lee15 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
DETROIT, Mich. — Detroit Mercy used a balanced scoring effort and two strong second-half quarters to pull away from North Dakota for an 84-59 victory at Calihan Hall.
Paula Lopez led the Titans with 15 points as Detroit Mercy placed five players in double figures. The win moved the Titans to 3-2, while North Dakota fell to 1-3.
Detroit Mercy held the lead through each quarter, opening with a 17-11 advantage and extending it to 33-24 by halftime. North Dakota remained within reach through the first two periods, but the Titans created more separation after the break.
Detroit Mercy outscored North Dakota 26-19 in the third quarter, carrying a 59-43 lead into the final period. The Titans added another 25 points in the fourth while holding the Fighting Hawks to 16, completing the 25-point win.
The scoring balance was a defining part of Detroit Mercy’s performance. Lopez paced the Titans, while Naïma Diawara, Stephanie Utomi and Maya Anderson each contributed 10 points.
Colleena Bryant provided another important contribution off the bench, scoring 11 points and recording a career-best nine assists. Her assist total highlighted a performance that included both scoring and playmaking as the Titans maintained their advantage.
Detroit Mercy’s advantage grew over the final two quarters, with the Titans outscoring North Dakota by a combined 51-35 after halftime. That second-half margin turned a nine-point halftime lead into the final 84-59 result.
The victory gave Detroit Mercy its third win in five games and sent North Dakota to its third defeat in four.
Megan McCarthy
Women’s College Basketball, The Library Media
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