March 7, 2003

Box Score

2002-03 Horizon League Player of the Year Willie Green led three University of Detroit-Mercy players in double-figures with 36 points and 14 rebounds as the No. 4 seed Titans defeated Loyola University 98-84 in the first quarterfinal of the Horizon League Men's Basketball Tournament. UDM shot 59.3% from the field on the game and outrebounded Loyola 39-31 in advancing to Friday's (Mar. 8) semifinal versus No. 1 seed, Butler University.

The game was close throughout the first half as the lead changed hands six times in the frame. Loyola took an early lead and led by three, 9-6, on a David Bailey three-pointer with 16:01 left in the half. UDM quickly tied the game up at 13, one of nine ties in the first half. Loyola took the biggest lead of the stanza, 27-23, on a Terrance Whiters layup with 9:30 remaining in the half. The Titans then scored 11 of the next 16 points to grab a 34-32 lead on a pair of Jimmy Twyman free throws with 5:09 on the clock.

Detroit enjoyed just one more first half lead, 38-35, before Loyola ended the half on a 10-5 run to take a 45-43 lead into the break. UDM shot 58.6% in the frame, connecting on 17-of-29 shots from the floor and seven-of-11 free throws. Loyola connected on 45.9% in the first half while hitting five three-point baskets.

The second half again proved to be a back-and-forth affair, as the lead changed hands seven more times. Loyola took a 55-52 lead with 16:02 to play on a Bailey three-ball and 65-64 on another Bailey triple with 11:33 remaining to play. The lead was the last of the game for Loyola, however, as Detroit went on a 10-0 to take a 74-65, with six points coming from Green. Loyola cut the lead to six, 76- 70, on a Paul McMillan layup with 6:58 remaining before UDM hit 12-of-13 free throws down the stretch to put the game away.

Green, who hit a tournament record 16 free throws in his 36-point performance, also added a game-high five assists. Elijah Warren added 22 points for UDM and Terrell Riggs added 21 points, while connecting on a tournament-record 9-of-10 shots. Bailey paced Loyola with 28 points, aided by five of Loyola's tournament record 13 three-pointers. Paul McMilland and Corey Minnifield added 19 and 14 points, respectively, for Loyola.