In a thrilling college basketball showdown, Orlando Lovejoy led Detroit Mercy to a 73-68 victory over Youngstown State. He put on a show with 22 points, and honestly, it was hard to look away.
The Titans now sit at 6-7 overall and 3-1 in the Horizon League. They managed to hold off a fierce comeback attempt by the Penguins, who dropped to 8-6 and 2-2 in league play.
Orlando Lovejoy Shines for Detroit Mercy
Lovejoy was the clear star, hitting 6 of 12 from the field and nailing all 10 of his free throws. That kind of composure at the line? It’s just clutch.
He seemed unfazed by the pressure and delivered when the Titans needed it most. It’s performances like this that really swing close games.
Key Contributions from Keshawn Fisher
Keshawn Fisher came off the bench and gave Detroit Mercy a real boost with 15 points. He shot 5 for 12 and hit a couple of threes, adding some spark.
Fisher also grabbed seven rebounds, which helped keep the offense humming. His energy and versatility kept the Titans rolling when things got tense.
Youngstown State’s Efforts to Counter
The Penguins, led by Cris Carroll, didn’t make things easy. Carroll put up 15 points, snagged eight boards, and swiped two steals—pretty much everywhere you looked, he was in the mix.
Even with their push, Youngstown State just couldn’t close the gap in the last few minutes. Sometimes the ball just doesn’t bounce your way.
Notable Performances from Bryson Dawkins and Jason Nelson
Bryson Dawkins chipped in 14 points and a couple of steals. Jason Nelson added 12 more to the Penguins’ total.
They actually locked Detroit Mercy down for almost five minutes during a wild 13-0 run in the second half. For a moment, it felt like momentum had flipped.
First Half Dominance by Detroit Mercy
Detroit Mercy took a 32-25 lead into halftime. Their defense was suffocating, shutting out the Penguins for over 11 minutes combined.
That kind of defensive stretch really set the tone. It gave the Titans just enough breathing room to weather Youngstown State’s push later on.
Second Half Resurgence by Youngstown State
The Penguins roared back after halftime, stringing together that 13-0 run. Their defense during that stretch was something else.
But they just couldn’t keep it going long enough to pull off the comeback. Sometimes, that’s how it goes in these tight Horizon League matchups.
This game was packed with talent and strategy on both sides. Detroit Mercy leaned on Orlando Lovejoy, who really put on a show.
Keshawn Fisher stepped up too, helping push the Titans over the finish line. Youngstown State didn’t make it easy—they fought back hard and kept things interesting.
If you want a deeper dive into all the twists and turns, check out the full article on Fox Sports.
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