A classmate asked me earlier in the week, “How do you all prepare for Green Bay?”
“Like any other game,” I responded.
There wasn’t a doubt in our minds or in our coaches’ minds that we could win this game.
Coach Scott gave our pregame speech and said, “I’m not going to talk to you all about having confidence or believing that we can win this game. I can see it in your eyes that you are ready. Now let’s go win this thing.”
We made history Saturday, Feb. 4, by defeating nationally ranked Green Bay.
It was an exhilarating experience to finally beat the team that has won at least a share of the Horizon League regular season title every year since 1999. This is the first year since the 2011-2012 season Detroit Mercy has upended Green Bay.
Starting with a phenomenal first quarter, shooting 88 percent from the three-point line with great looks from Nicole Urbanick and Anja Marinkovic (who finish the contest shooting 100 percent from the three-point line), the Titans ended the quarter up 30-11.
This is the highest any team has lead Green Bay all season.
Not only were we shooting an incredible percentage, we were playing great defense and forcing our opponent to take bad shots. Regardless of statistics and percentages, we all played for each other.
This year’s motto, “We Not Me,” prevailed in this game.
We played for our seniors, understanding they have never beaten Green Bay during their time here as Titans and we wanted them to fulfill this goal. Rosanna Reynolds, senior guard, has often expressed this desire.
Although we had a good start, basketball is a game of runs, and Green Bay made a key run toward the end of the game. We were neck and neck in the final minutes.
We have come too far and fought hard to give up now. A clutch three by sophomore guard Brittney Jackson put us up by one point and gave us a real chance of winning the game.
After a big defensive stop by the Titans and a foul by Green Bay, Jackson was sent to the free throw line in the double bonus to shoot two free throws.
She knocked down two clutch throws to give us the lead in the final seconds.
After back-to-back stops, Green Bay was forced to foul us in the final seconds.
We’re excited to see Green Bay again for Motor City Madness.
