DETROIT (Interstat) — In a game defined by dramatic momentum shifts and a frantic final minute, the Detroit Titans women’s basketball team held off a late charge from IU Indy to secure a 74-69 victory in a Horizon League contest Sunday at Calihan Hall.

The Titans, who improved to 3-5 overall, appeared to seize control with a dominant fourth quarter, outscoring the Jaguars 25-19 in the period after being held to just nine points in the third. The Jaguars, who fell to 3-6, erased a double-digit deficit in the final minutes but could not complete the comeback.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the closing 30 seconds with Detroit clinging to a 70-69 lead. After IU Indy’ Hailey Smith converted a driving layup to cut the deficit to one point with 17 seconds remaining, the Jaguars were forced to foul. Detroit’s Anna Lassan, inserted into the game for defensive purposes, was fouled with 13 seconds left and calmly sank both free throws to extend the lead to 72-69.

On the ensuing possession, IU Indy’s Olivia Smith launched a potential game-tying 3-pointer that missed, and Detroit’s Nisea Burrell was fouled on the rebound with four seconds left. Burrell made both free throws to seal the five-point victory, capping a tense finish that saw the Titans make five of six free throws in the final 13 seconds.

The game was a tale of contrasting halves and quarters. Detroit started strong, building a 21-13 lead after the first quarter behind early baskets from Jasmine Edwards and Makayla Jackson. IU Indy responded in the second quarter, using a 12-5 run fueled by back-to-back 3-pointers from Camron Blank to close the gap, and trailed 40-34 at halftime.

The Jaguars’ defense tightened considerably in the third quarter, holding the Titans to nine points on 3-of-13 shooting while forcing six turnovers. This defensive stand allowed IU Indy to take its first lead since the opening minutes and enter the final period tied at 50.

Detroit reclaimed momentum early in the fourth. A 3-pointer from Aaliyah McQueen and a layup from Makayla Jackson keyed a 7-0 run that gave the Titans a 57-50 advantage. The Jaguars chipped away, with Sydney Bolden and Nevaeh Foster providing key baskets, setting the stage for the dramatic final minute.

Edwards led all scorers for Detroit with 16 points. Jackson added 16 points, three assists and three steals, while McQueen and Burrell each contributed 13 points. Burrell also had a game-high three steals.

For IU Indy, Bolden led the way with 15 points. Foster scored 12, while Smith and Blank each added 11. The Jaguars were effective in generating points off Detroit’s 20 turnovers, scoring 19, but were outscored 44-28 in the paint.

Detroit’s ability to attack the interior proved decisive, especially in the fourth-quarter surge. The Titans also won the battle at the free-throw line down the stretch, a critical factor in a game where both teams struggled with consistency from the field.

The win gives Detroit a positive start to its Horizon League schedule, while IU Indy will look to rebound from its third consecutive loss when it hosts Green Bay on Wednesday. Detroit’s next game is at Robert Morris on Dec. 16.