Detroit Mercy Basketball Stuns In Horizon League Tournament Upset
Detroit Mercy Basketball Stuns In Horizon League Tournament Upset...
The University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball team pulled off a dramatic upset in the Horizon League Tournament on Wednesday night, defeating top-seeded Oakland University 78-75 in overtime. The Titans' victory sends them to the conference semifinals for the first time since 2016 and keeps their NCAA Tournament hopes alive.
Fifth-year guard Antoine Davis led the charge with 32 points, including the game-winning three-pointer with 2.1 seconds remaining in overtime. The win marks Detroit Mercy's first victory over Oakland since 2019 and avenges two regular-season losses to their Metro Detroit rivals.
The game trended nationally on social media as Davis' clutch shot went viral. Local fans flooded Little Caesars Arena, creating one of the loudest environments in recent Horizon League Tournament history. The upset comes at a crucial time for Detroit Mercy basketball, which hasn't made the NCAA Tournament since 2012.
Head coach Mike Davis told reporters after the game, "This is why you play the games. Our guys never stopped believing, even when everyone counted us out." The Titans now face Cleveland State in Friday's semifinal, with the winner earning a spot in Saturday's championship game.
Detroit's surprising tournament run has captured attention across Michigan, where college basketball interest peaks during March Madness. The Horizon League Tournament winner receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, adding stakes to Friday's matchup. Ticket sales for the semifinals spiked 40% following Wednesday's upset.
The victory also reignited discussions about Antoine Davis' NBA prospects. The senior guard now has 3,082 career points, ranking sixth in NCAA Division I history. NBA scouts were reportedly in attendance for Wednesday's game, with several teams showing increased interest in the prolific scorer.
University officials confirmed Thursday that student attendance at Friday's semifinal will count toward a special "Titan Spirit" credit, incentivizing fan support. Detroit Mercy last won the Horizon League Tournament in 2012 under then-coach Ray McCallum.
Friday's semifinal tips off at 7 p.m. ET at Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis. The game will air nationally on ESPNU, with the winner advancing to face either Northern Kentucky or Wright State in Saturday's championship.
