DETROIT (Interstat) — The Detroit Titans opened their women’s basketball season with a commanding 78-48 victory over the Valparaiso Beacons on Saturday at Calihan Hall, using a dominant first quarter and a suffocating defensive effort to secure the win before an announced crowd of 300.

The Titans, now 1-0, seized control of the contest from the opening tip, outscoring the Beacons 21-9 in the first period. Valparaiso, which fell to 0-2 with the loss, struggled to find any consistent offensive rhythm against a swarming Detroit defense. The Beacons were held to single-digit scoring in two of the four quarters, including a meager seven-point output in the final frame.

Detroit’s performance was anchored by a historic individual effort from Aaliyah McQueen. The forward recorded a monstrous double-double, pouring in 15 points while hauling in a staggering 16 rebounds in 32 minutes of action. Her work on the glass was instrumental in limiting Valparaiso’s second-chance opportunities and fueling the Titans’ transition game.

McQueen was far from a solo act, as Detroit’s offense showcased balanced and efficient scoring. Jasmine Edwards matched McQueen’s scoring output with 19 points of her own, adding seven rebounds. Guard Makayla Jackson provided a significant spark with 16 points and four rebounds, while Maya Anderson and Myonna Hooper chipped in 10 and nine points, respectively. Hooper, a Pontiac native, also dished out a team-high three assists.

The Titans’ offensive success was built on their work inside, where they outscored Valparaiso 34-20 in the paint. They also capitalized on Beacon mistakes, converting turnovers into 19 points.

For Valparaiso, the lone bright spot was the play of Fiona Connolly. The guard from South Burlington, Vermont, turned in a valiant effort, leading all scorers with 19 points and coming just one rebound shy of a double-double, finishing with nine. Allia von Schlegell, a freshman from Downers Grove, Illinois, was the only other Beacon to reach double figures, scoring 10 points. Point guard Mikayla Huffine of Rockford, Illinois, facilitated the offense with a team-high four assists.

After the initial first-quarter surge by Detroit, the Beacons showed some resilience in the second period, outscoring the Titans 18-12 to cut the deficit to six points at halftime. However, any momentum gained was swiftly extinguished after the break. Detroit reasserted its dominance in the third quarter, outscoring Valparaiso 20-14, and then put the game completely out of reach with a 25-7 fourth-quarter blitz.

The loss extends a difficult start to the season for Valparaiso, which was defeated 92-54 by DePaul this past Tuesday. The team’s search for its first win will not get any easier, as they travel to face a tough Iowa State squad on Wednesday. The Beacons’ upcoming schedule features a mix of non-conference challenges and early Horizon League tests, including a home game against Milwaukee on Nov. 16 and a road trip to South Dakota on Nov. 21.

For Detroit, the victory validates their status as the projected favorite; the Interstat ELO system gave the Titans a 62.7 percent probability to win. The Titans will look to build on this strong start as they embark on a challenging stretch of their non-conference schedule. Their next contest is a road game at in-state rival Toledo on Nov. 16, followed by a home game against Central Michigan on Nov. 19. A significant early-season test awaits on Nov. 26 when the Titans host the University of Michigan at Calihan Hall.

The game underscored the contrasting trajectories of the two programs early in the 2025-2026 campaign. Detroit showcased depth, defensive intensity, and interior strength, while Valparaiso continues to search for consistent scoring options beyond Connolly. The Titans’ ability to maintain this level of play will be critical as they navigate a demanding upcoming slate of games.