Box Score
Detroit Mercy's Bul Kuol hit a 3-pointer with 48 seconds left to snap a 73-73 tie and lifted the Titans to a 78-75 win over the Youngstown State men's basketball team on Friday evening at the Beeghly Center.
The Penguins, who made a season-high 13 3-pointers, missed a 3-point attempt on the ensuing possession and Buol grabbed the rebound. UDM's Dwayne Rose, Jr. was fouled and missed the front end of the one-and-one. Shemar Rathan-Mayes' 3-point attempt was off and Michael Akuchie's putback got the Penguins within one, 76-75, with 11 seconds left.
Matt Johnson made a pair of free throws with 10 seconds left and Rathan-Mayes' game-tying 3-point attempt was off.
The Penguins fall to 8-9 overall and 4-9 in the Horizon League while the Titans improve to 5-8 overall and 4-5 in league play.
Senior Garrett Covington scored a team-high 24 points and made a career-best five 3-points to lead three players scoring in double figures. Akuchie posted his fourth double-double of the season with 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Rathan-Mayes had 13 points with seven assists.
Leading Detroit Mercy was Antoine Davis with 25 points and seven assists while Johnson had 14 points, Rose, Jr. has 12 points and Noah Waterman added 10 points.
The Penguins came out hot from behind the arc making 10 first-half 3-pointers, which matched their previous single-game best this season, shot 48.3 percent from the floor.
Youngstown State also committed seven first-half turnovers that led to 15 Titan points. Detroit Mercy also shot 54.5 percent from the field and made six 3-pointers.
The Penguins and Titans close out the two-game series, Saturday, Jan. 30. Tipoff is at 5 p.m.
