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DETROIT-- Chris Blake's two free throws in the final second and Eli Holman's block of a desperation three at the buzzer led the host Detroit Titans to a 81-78 win over Cleveland State at Calihan Hall Monday night.  The Vikings came into the game atop the Horizon League standings.

Detroit's (14-12, 8-6) presence underneath was felt early and often.  The Titans threw down six dunks for the game and the frontcourt duo of Nick Minnerath and Holman combined for 43 points on 16-of-25 shooting.  Minnerath had a career-high 26 points while Holman etched his 11th double-double of the season with 17 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.

The Titans, as they have in each of their wins in this homestand, got off to a quick start by grabbing a 12-5 advantage before the first media timeout.  CSU (21-5, 10-4 HL) battled back, scoring 13 of the next 15 points.  The Vikings remained in control and led by as many as 10 before Detroit unleashed a 9-0 spurt to finish out the half and retie the score 39-39.

A 10-0 run a few minutes into the second half was the catalyst for the home team opening a five-point lead and energizing the Calihan crowd.  A Norris Cole layup, two of his game-high 27 points on the night, knotted the score at 60-apiece with under eight minutes to go.

Tim Kamczyc hit a three for a slim 65-63 Viking advantage, but Minnerath answered with a triple from the right corner as the teams traded punches.  Cole connected on a layup and then the Titans proceeded to miss four straight free throws and the upset bid looked perilous.  With its resolve tested, Detroit battled back by getting an energetic tip-in from Holman and a pair of clutch free-throw makes by Blake.  

Cole and Pogue did their best to keep the Vikes alive.  Pogue hit a layup to trim it to one, but again Minnerath connected on two from the line.  Cole hit a tough jumper then Holman countered with a layup the other way to maintain the three-point lead.  With under a minute to go, Holman grabbed an offensive rebound and  gracefully redirected it in for a 76-71 Detroit advantage.

With the game seemingly in hand, Cole hit a triple and after Minnerath split a pair from the charity stripe, Holman hit both from the line for a four-point lead.  Still not out of it, Cole banked a circus, off-balance three and the lead was one with just 0.8 seconds left.  Blake was fouled and hit both freebies.  Cole received the in-bounds pass and tried to unleash a half-court attempt, but Holman swatted it down as the buzzer sounded.

Four Detroit players finished in double figures with Blake adding 13 and Simon chipping-in 10.  Ray McCallum, despite being in early foul trouble, scored nine points with seven assists.

The Titans take to the road, travelling to the Hoosier state to battle Valparaiso and Butler.  Thursday tip against the Crusaders is set for 8:05 p.m. on FOX Sports Detroit HD.

Notes:  Blake made his second start as Jason Calliste did not dress due to injury ... Cleveland State's bench did not score and Detroit added 22 from its reserves ... The Titans matched a season-best with its three-game winning streak (Nov. 26-28) ... Detroit has notched at least 15 assists in all three wins in the streak ... CSU was ranked sixth in Monday's Mid-Major Top 25 poll.