Warrior Men’s Basketball Falls in Exhibition at Detroit Mercy
| 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WAR | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| DET | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 72 |
Wayne State Men’s Basketball dropped a 72-2 decision in an exhibition matchup at Detroit Mercy on Monday night at Calihan Hall, as the host Titans used a decisive first-half surge and stifling defense to take control early and never relinquish momentum.
Playing its first game action of the 2024-25 campaign, Wayne State used the exhibition to evaluate rotations, integrate several newcomers and test itself on the road in a Division I environment. Detroit Mercy set the tone with a strong opening quarter, turning defensive stops into transition opportunities and building a double-digit lead that continued to grow as the half progressed.
The Warriors showed stretches of solid half-court defense, forcing the Titans into late-clock situations and contested perimeter looks. Wayne State also competed on the glass against a bigger front line, using physical play from the forwards to limit second-chance opportunities at times. However, Detroit Mercy’s pressure on the perimeter disrupted offensive rhythm, leading to turnovers that the Titans converted into easy baskets going the other way.
Wayne State’s coaching staff used the night to get extended minutes for its guards and wings, mixing combinations that featured returners alongside transfers and freshmen. The Warriors worked through their offensive sets, looking to establish timing in ball-screen actions and spacing on drive-and-kick opportunities. Even as the shots were not falling consistently, the game provided valuable live-game film to address execution heading into the regular season.
In the second half, Wayne State continued to compete defensively, showing better communication on switches and closeouts while working to slow Detroit Mercy’s dribble penetration. The Warriors also looked to push the pace more after rebounds, using quicker outlets from the frontcourt to initiate early offense. Despite the lopsided final margin, the exhibition allowed the team to play through adversity, refine its transition defense and build conditioning against an up-tempo opponent.
Wayne State will now turn its attention to the regular-season opener on Nov. 8 at Lincoln (Mo.), followed by another road contest at Indianapolis on Nov. 10. The Warriors will look to apply the lessons from Monday’s exhibition—particularly in handling pressure, valuing possessions and sustaining defensive intensity over four quarters—as they move into a demanding nonconference slate and prepare for GLIAC play in December.
