Dec. 20, 2006

Box Score

Detroit 62, East Carolina 57 (PDF)
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CANCUN, MEXICO- Three Titans scored in double figures as Detroit held on for the 62-57 win over East Carolina in the second day of the Caribbean Classic at the Moon Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico. The game came down to free throws in the final minute, as the last ten points of the contest were scored from the charity stripe. Detroit improves to 2-9 on the year while the Lady Pirates fall to 4-8 on the season with one game remaining before heading into Conference USA play.

Detroit opened the game with two quick baskets by Joyce Massey, putting the Titans up 5-0 just a minute and a half into the game. Gabriela Husarova's put back at the 17:16 mark put East Carolina on the boards, but it would be almost four minutes later before they would score again. Cherie Mills' back to back jumpers pulled the Lady Pirates to within two, at 8-6. LaCoya Terry's jumper on a pass from Jasmine Young knotted the game at 8-8 with 12:06 remaining in the half. The Titans went on a 5-0 run to retake the lead, 13-8, but ECU responded with a 6-0 run, sparked by back to back baskets by Terry and a pull up jumper by Alicia Person to take the teams first lead of the game, 14-13, with 8:47 on the clock. After a free throw by Nicole Days gave East Carolina the lead, Detroit was quick to tie the game again, this time on a jumper by India Bruster at the 7:30 mark. Keashawn Bond's free throw gave the Titans the quick 16-15 lead before the Lady Pirates scored three straight to retake the lead, 18-16 with five minutes to play before the break. A Katy Dunlop layup at the 3:38 mark tied the game for the third time, this time at 18 a piece. Mills and the Lady Pirates put together a 3-0 run to end the break, taking a 21-18 lead into the break.

Mills led all scorers with nine points at the half, while Terry added six points and four rebounds. Kandace Evans led the Titans with six points while Massey added five. The Lady Pirates shot 31 percent in the first half, but just 25 percent from the charity stripe. Detroit was a cold 19.4 from the field but was 4-for-6 from the free throw line, shooting 66.7 percent. Despite being held scoreless in the opening half, Young tallied five assists for the Lady Pirates.

Buster started the second half with a baseline jumper at the 19:27 mark, pulling the Titans to within one, 21-20. Terry's 4-0 run increased the ECU lead back out to five at 25-20 with 17:41 to play in the contest. After a Titan jumper, the Lady Pirates scored four straight free throws to extend their lead to seven, 29-22, but Detroit answered, scoring five unanswered to pull back to within two. A Dunlop trey at the 13:23 mark cut the ECU lead to just one point, 33-32. A 4-1 run over the next two and a half minutes increased the Lady Pirates lead back out to four, 37-33, with less than 12 minutes to play in the game. The Titans went on a 9-1 run over the next two minutes, taking the 42-40 lead on a Zemora Davis jumper at the 9:00 mark. A pair of Young free throws tied the game at 42-42, but Detroit put together another run, this time 8-0, to retake the lead with 8:36 to play. The Lady Pirates got within three after two Husarova free throws, making the score 57-54 with one minute to play in the game. ECU could not get any closer, as the Titans held on for the 62-57 win.

Mills led all scorers with a season-high 24 points, including 8-for-12 from the free throw line. Terry also finished in double figures, scoring 10 and adding seven rebounds. Days had a team-high nine rebounds. Three Titans finished the game in double figures, as Dunlop led with 14 points while Massey had 13 and Davis chipped in 10. The Lady Pirates shot 31 percent for the game, while the Titans shot 34.5 percent on the night. ECU out rebounded the Titans 47-42.

East Carolina will enjoy a nine day break for the holidays before returning to Greenville, N.C. on Dec. 29 when they host Long Island. Tip-off from Minges Coliseum is set for 7:00 p.m.

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