Detroit Mercy Basketball: Takeaways from Titans defeating Western Michigan

Detroit Mercy Won two out of their last three games as they defeated Western Michigan, 83-64, led by star guard Antonine Davis.

Antoine Davis had a great game as others had predicted preseason and Davis looked like the Horizon League preseason player of the year in Detroit Mercy’s convincing victory over the Broncos. Heading into this game, came in averaging 22.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game with his best game being against Hofstra when he scored 39 and had seven rebounds and eight assists.

Davis made his second three of the game with just over eight minutes left in the first half to give Detroit Mercy a 26-14 lead over Western Michigan. With just under two minutes left in the first half, Davis got a steal and made a great pass to Johnson for a two-handed dunk.

To begin the second half, Davis made a long-range three from top of the key to make it a Titans 47-36 lead. Davis on a mismatch with a Bronco big man, made a step-back three from the wing to give Detroit Mercy a 61-44 lead. Davis once again made another three from the other wing to make it a Titans 66-51 lead with eight minutes remaining in the second half. He did all of this while being double-teamed for most of the game when dribbling from the perimeter.

Davis kept making his three-point attempts in the second half when he made yet another three to make it 73-55 Detroit Mercy lead with just under five minutes remaining in the game. Davis ended the game with 20 points, 10 assists, and three rebounds.

The Titans looked great, especially on defense in their home opener victory.

Prior to this game, Detroit Mercy has held opposing defenses to 69 or fewer points in their last four games. In the Titans’ win against IUPUI on the road, they held the Jaguars’ offense to only 45 points, and in the following game also on the road, they were able to limit UIC’s offense to just 56 points.

Detroit Mercy held the Broncos’ offense to only 29 first-half points. The Titans 1-3-1 zone defense caused the Bronco’s offense to settle for some early long-distance shot attempts. The Titans held Western Michigan’s offense to only 64 points and outrebounded the Broncos by a margin of 42 to 29. Detroit Mercy caused Western Michigan to turn over the ball 12 times and limited the Broncos from three-point range to 9 for 29 shooting.

The newcomers played well on both ends of the court

The incoming transfers for this season have made their presence felt from the start with Madut Akec a transfer from South Florida made three of his first four field-goal attempts and D.J. Harvey (Vanderbilt) had four points and three rebounds early. Akec had a run with under three minutes remaining in the first half where he got a rebound and put back and then on the next series made a running hook shot, got fouled, and then made the free throw.

Akec continued to play well in the second half and had 13 points and ten rebounds with over 16 minutes left in the game. Harvey also started off the second half well with a made corner three. With just under 10 minutes remaining in the second half, Akec had 18 points on eight for 12 shooting from the field with three assists and 11 rebounds.

Alek ended the game with 18 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Harvey finished the game with seven points, eight rebounds, and one steal.

Detroit Mercy next plays Central Michigan as they look to win their fourth game in five tries.