If you could sum up the last two seasons for the Detroit Mercy Titans women’s basketball team in two words, you could use: momentum shift.
If you take the first 15 games of the past two years (30 games) and add up the combined wins and losses, you get a record of 22-8, which includes two losses to Michigan State, one to Michigan, and one to Butler. However, if you take the second half games between the two seasons (tournament games included), you get a record of 11-23. This shift was especially apparent a season ago, when the team started off 10-2 (with their only losses coming to MSU and Michigan), before eventually finishing .500 at 15-15. This included a record of 8-12 in conference play, good for fifth in the league despite the poor second half of the year. Clearly, this team has the potential to be a unit that no one wants to see. The question remains: Can they be that team for a whole season?
When you look at the difference between this year’s Titans squad and last, one thing sticks out most: A new (but not new) face at the top. Keifer Haffey will be at the helm for the Titans after being named the new head coach (15th in school history) back in April in the wake of previous head coach Kate Achter taking the Western Michigan women’s head coaching position after spending the previous three seasons with Detroit Mercy.
However, coach Haffey will not be an unfamiliar face in Calihan Hall, as he has spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach under Achter. Haffey takes over a program that hasn’t seen a winning record in the conference since the 2016-17 season, and one that hasn’t won the conference since they joined the Horizon Leage back in 2001. The objective of playing consistent basketball for the entirety of a season, coach Haffey had this to say:
“Nobody is trying to be the best team in November. Everyone is trying to be the best team in February and March. That’s the goal.”
“You don’t win awards for going 5-0 in November. Do we all want to be 5-0 in November? Of course, we want to win every single game on our schedule. But, for us I think it’s a combination [of] trying to teach our girls how to deal with adversity better, [which is] all a mindset first and foremost. They can’t feel panic from our staff; they can’t feel panic from me as a head coach. We’re trying to help teach them that the tight moments are the fun ones.”
However, he takes charge of a roster that is certainly trending upwards with much potential and reason for optimism heading into this season, as they return four of their leading contributors from a year ago. That fact that the Titans were able to retain the production that they did was another thing coach Haffey knew was important going into taking over the head coaching role.
“My mission day one was retention. You know, how do we keep the talent that we have here, here? That’s [also] not just our roster, it’s our staff. How do I make sure we keep [coaches] who have been so critical in building this [team] are here to keep elevating this whole thing?”
“Then it’s the roster. How do we, in a day of age where it’s transfer portal heavy, make sure that those who have been so successful for us and been great representatives of our university choose to stay here?”
Returning Players
Aaliyah McQueen, G, Graduate Student, Flint, MI
The 5-9 graduate student had an incredibly productive season for Detroit Mercy a year ago, as she played and started all 30 games, averaging 13.5 PPG and 7.3 RPG in her first year as a Titan. She also got it done on the defensive end as well, notching 1.8 SPG. She notched 15 or more points in 15 different games last season, including a season-high 30 points to go along with 11 rebounds in a win over Valparaiso (2OT). She also had two 24-point games versus conference opponents (YSU & Wright St.) and a dominant 21-point 17-rebound performance in a win at home over rival Oakland as well. She ended the season as an All-Horizon League Third Team selection. Coach Keifer Haffey had high praise for the Flint native:
“She (McQueen) means everything to the team. We would love for her to continue to be one of our leading scorers, leading rebounders and have an impact on the floor, but the impact we feel from Q (McQueen) on a daily basis is her competitive drive. She helps the team understand that ‘this’ is the level of play that’s required to win.”
This is McQueen’s fifth school that she has played at over her collegiate career, as she spent her true freshman season in the Big Ten with the Illinois Fighting Illini before spending two seasons with Horizon League rival Oakland. She then spent a year at Madonna (NAIA) before coming to Detroit prior to last year. Look for McQueen to play a large role for the Titans on both sides of the ball for the Titans in her final season.
Jasmine Edwards, F, Graduate Student, Westland, MI
The 6-0 Westland native tallied a modest 4.0 PPG and 4.0 RPG in her first season with the Titans last year, but was an integral part of the frontcourt rotation, appearing in 29 of the 30 games while starting 25 of those contests. Edwards notched a career-high 13 points in the loss to Cleveland State in the Horizon League quarterfinals at the end of last season as well. She was also quite efficient, shooting 48.5% from the field last year, leading the team in that category. She has spent time with three different schools over her time in college, as she spent her freshman season with Jackson State before spending three more years at Warner (NAIA). Edwards is poised to take on another substantial role this season for Detroit Mercy.
Myonna Hooper, G, Senior, Pontiac, MI
The Pontiac native as called Detroit Mercy home since she began her college basketball journey back in 2022, and she returns to the Titans for her senior season. The 5-5 Hooper is both extremely fast and quick and was called upon oftentimes as one of the main ballhandlers for the squad last year. She appeared in 25 games a season ago, making 17 starts and seeing an average of 25.3 MPG. She put up 6.7 PPG, 2.0 APG and 2.2 RPG. She was also named Under Armour Horizon League Player of the Week for the opening week of the season last year after netting 24 points in a win over Bowling Green.
Hooper has been a steady contributor since she stepped foot on the McNichols campus as a freshman, never seeing action in fewer than 25 games in a season nor starting in fewer than 15. Hooper gears up to have a significant role in the backcourt yet again during her senior campaign.
Makayla Jackson, G, Junior, Alexandria, VA
When it comes to players that one should be looking out for during the upcoming season, Jackson is a name that should be on everyone’s radar. The 5-8 guard is coming off an impressive sophomore campaign, in which she started all 30 games, averaging 26.0 MPG and 8.7 PPG, which was good for third on the squad. She reached double figures in 13 games a season ago, but none was more impressive than her 25-point game on 10 of 12 shooting (83% FG) that she had in the first round of the conference tournament that helped lift the Titans to a 73-62 victory over Milwaukee. Jackson is also one of the Titans best defenders, as she averaged 1.6 SPG and notched multiple steals in 14 games last year and had four or more steals (two games with five) on five different occasions.
The Virginia native saw a leap in production between her freshman and sophomore seasons, and she’s only continuing to grow and improve. This is something that coach Haffey is expecting to happen as well:
“She puts in as much work and extra indivdual work as anybody on the team. To watch her go from her freshman campaign to her sophomore campaign, I don’t think any of us were surprised, but it’s cool to see it happen in live time. This year, I think she’s going to try to take the next step and say, hey, how can I go from a freshman who contributes, to a consistent starter and impact player as a sophomore, to one of the best players in the league.”
Look for her to take on more of a leading role for Detroit Mercy on both ends of the floor this season.
Anna Lassan, F, Sophomore, South Lyon, MI
Lassan, the 5-11 South Lyon native, saw action in 29 games as a true freshman last year, making two starts. She saw 15+ minutes in 9 games and averaged 2.4 PPG and 2.1 RPG. Now with a year of experience and growth, look for Lassan to take on a bit of a more extended role in 25-26.
Maya Anderson, G, Sophomore, Detroit, MI
Anderson saw action in 14 games as a true freshman last year, scoring three or more points in five of those games. She showed flashes of solid production a season ago and will look to build off that and take another step forward during her sophomore campaign.
Addisen Mastriano, C, Sophomore, Richmond, IN
Capping off the list of returners is the Indiana native who, standing at 6-3, is tied for the tallest player on the roster for the Titans. Mastriano appeared in 11 games for the Titans during her true freshman season, and, albeit in limited attempts, shot 60% from 2-pt range (6-10). Also now with a full year of experience and growth, look for her to make her presence known inside and be fighting for substantial minutes in the Titans frontcourt rotation this season, as she provides very good size for the squad.
Incoming Players
Nisea Burrell, G, Graduate Student, Philadelphia, PA
Burrell joins the Titans after spending last season with Austin Peay. The 5-5 Pennsylvania native saw action in 23 games last year for the Governors, averaging 2.7 PPG, 1.2 RPG and 1.0 APG. That included a season-high 11 points in a win over North Alabama. She has spent most of her time in college though, at Columbia State Community College, where she averaged 18.7 PPG over her three seasons there. Burrell will look to come in and make an impact for the Titans in the backcourt in her final collegiate season.
Kailee Davis, G, Graduate Student, Detroit, MI
One of two transfers that the Titans added from Horizon League foe Northern Kentucky, this season serves as a bit of a homecoming, as Davis returns home after spending her entire collegiate career to this point with the Norse. Although she missed the entirety of last season with an injury, Detroit Mercy adds a player who has had a productive career in college. Davis was a Horizon League all third-team selection her sophomore year, scoring 13.3 PPG while playing 33.5 MPG.
Allison Basye, G/F, Senior, Chillicothe, OH
The second of two transfers from Northern Kentucky that the Titans are bringing in is the 5-11 Basye, who will be playing for her second school in college after spending her first three seasons with the Norse. The Ohio native didn’t see any action last year, but appeared in 24 games during her sophomore campaign, notching averages of 4.0 PPG and 2.3 RPG in 13.2 MPG. Basye’s sophomore season also included a career-high 18-point performance in a conference battle versus Cleveland State.
Amaya Burch, G, Junior, Sicklerville NJ
When it comes to Burch, she’s a player that could have gone in either of the “returning players” or “incoming players” sections. The 5-9, Jersey native is back with the Titans after not playing anywhere last season while nursing a broken foot. Her first two seasons with Detroit Mercy in 22-23 and 23-24 speak for themselves though.
She was a Horizon League All-Freshman Team selection in her rookie campaign after making 17 starts and scoring in double figures on 12 different occasions. Burch then started 32 out of 33 games during her sophomore year, playing 24.5 MPG. The season also included a season-high 20 points and nine rebounds in a win over Cleveland State. Burch has also proven she can fill it up from beyond the arc, making multiple threes in 13 different games over the course of her first two seasons. Coach Haffey anticipates her to make a great impact at some point during the season:
“I think Amaya’s best basketball for us will come in the second half of the year, obviously the earlier the better [as] it just makes us deeper. When you’re coming back from injury [after] not playing for a year, it’s a matter of getting back in shape and then it’s a matter of getting your swagger back.”
“What she brings to our team right now, even, is just her energy.”
Needless to say, the Titans are happy to have her back, and it will be intriguing to see how her production will play out over the course of what is now her junior season.
Brendha Schwartz, G/F, Junior, Foz do Iguacu, Brazil
The other incoming junior for the Titans this season is Schwartz, who comes to the 313 after spending her first two season with South Plains college. The 5-11 Brazilian was the last and final addition to this Titans squad in the offseason. In her sophomore season with South Plains, she saw action in 31 games, making 28 starts. She averaged 4.5 PPG and 3.5 RPG over the course of the season. She also made her presence known on the defensive end, as she ended the campaign with 28 combined steals and blocks. Coach Haffey has had this to say about Schwartz:
“She played for one of the top JUCO programs in the country this past season and showcased a high-level skill set. At 5-11, with great length and athleticism, she can defensively guard [the] one through four positions for us. Offensively, Brendha played primarily as a two or three, but [she] handles the ball well enough to create and run the point. With her length and skillset, she has a chance to be a great player for us here at Detroit Mercy.”
Rayven McQueen, G/F, Freshman, Flint, MI
The 6’0, Flint native had an impressive high school career, capped off by earning First-Team All-Saginaw Valley Conference honors for the second time after averaging a double-double and leading Grand Blanc HS to a 2025 District Championship during her senior campaign. This final year of high school also included 26-point and 21-point performances.
However, for Rayven Mcqueen, this will be an exciting season, not only because of it being her freshman year and first opportunity to play Division I basketball, but also because she has the chance to play with her sister, Aaliyah, in what is her sister’s final season.
Cameron McMaster, F/C, Freshman, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
The second of three freshmen is the other player that will be standing at 6-3 for the Titans this season. McMaster joins Detroit Mercy after spending high school with Orangeville Prep Academy in Canada. Her prep career saw her named to All-Canadian Future Stars game in 2023-24. McMaster also posted 18 PPG and eight RPG during her junior season, which included a career-high 30-point game, as well as a triple-double on a different occasion. She was a member of the EYCL & EYBL circuits in high school as well, as she was a three-year member of the Calgary Basketball Academy and one-year member of Kia Nurse. She’ll look to bring a degree of toughness and certainly size to the Titans squad this season as she battles for a role in the frontcourt rotation.
Naïma Diawara, F, Freshman, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Rounding out the Titans roster for the season is another Canadian native. Diawara spent 2022-2025 with Dawson College in her hometown. At Dawson College, she tallied averages of 15.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG and 5.0 APG. She also was a two-time Game Point All-Star selection and tabbed as one of the top players in Quebec in 2023 and 2024. Look for Diawara to also bring a bit of experience to the table as well, albeit still going into her true freshman season.
Overall Outlook
All in all, there is a lot to be excited about for the red, white and blue. Detroit Mercy has shown they’re capable of being one of the best teams in the league, so it all just comes down to showing consistency. When it comes to keys for this Titans squad this year, there were a few that head coach Keifer Haffey will often stress:
“[We need to] play really, really hard, constantly be talking and communicating, and just being connected. I also can’t stress enough about our response to adversity.”
“We want to be a team that’s always the loudest team, we want to be a connected team, and a team that when the fourth quarter rolls around, we feel like it’s our time. I think if we can be a team that buys into that type of identity, we can be really good.”
If the Titans can stay on the same page, continue to defend at an efficient rate for 40 minutes, and combine those things with improved shooting from beyond the arc, this will certainly be a team that’s up there in the mix come late-February and possibly even into March.
Preview Week 2025-26
MBB: Preseason Poll | Preseason All-League | Preseason Awards
WBB: Preseason Poll | Preseason All-League | Preseason Awards
Cleveland State (MBB | WBB) | Detroit Mercy (MBB | WBB) | Green Bay (MBB | WBB) | IU Indy (MBB | WBB)
Milwaukee (MBB | WBB) | Northern Kentucky (MBB | WBB) | Oakland (MBB | WBB) | Purdue Fort Wayne (MBB | WBB)
Robert Morris (MBB | WBB) | Wright State (MBB | WBB) | Youngstown State (MBB | WBB)
Subscribe to our emails, and get our latest posts in your inbox, plus a weekly digest of everything we've published!
