Box Score

The Detroit Titans men's basketball team fought back from an early deficit, but could not sustain its momentum in the second half as UDM suffered a 71-62 setback at DePaul on Tuesday night. 

Detroit (1-3) was led by junior Xavier Keeling's (Huntsville, AL/J.O. Johnson) 15 points and eight rebounds. Freshman, and Chicago native, Donavan Foster (Chicago, IL/Curie) also scored 15 points and collected four steals, while senior Michael Harrington (Country Club Hills, IL / Rich Central) and junior Nemanja Jokic (Sombor, Serbia/Mechanical) added eight points apiece. 

The Titans trailed by just four, 48-44, with 8:44 left in the game, when DePaul went on a 13-3 run to take a 61-47 lead with just 2:38 left in the game. Detroit fought back to get within seven, 64-57, with just under a minute left to play, but the Blue Demons hit five of its six free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

Detroit struggled to find the bottom of the net to start the game, missing nine of its first 10 shots as DePaul started the game on a 12-3 run. 

The Blue Demons (3-0) were able to hold that advantage until midway through the first half, when the Titans defense came alive. Down 16-8 with nine minutes left to play, UDM went on 15-3 run to jump out in front, 23-19. The offensive charge was mounted by the UDM defense, highlighted by steals from Foster and junior Woody Payne (Inkster, MI/ Ypsilanti), which led to two quick fast-break lay ups. Detroit was able to knot the score at 16-16 with 6:54 left after junior Thomas Kennedy (Detroit, MI/Southeastern) followed his own miss with an offensive rebound and tip-in. 

DePaul briefly regained the lead after a Dar Tucker three, but Foster answered that with a three of his own to once again tie the game. Junior center Jason Bennett (Jacksonville, FL / Arlington Country Day) then gave the Titans a four-point lead, 23-19 at the 3:41 mark, on two consecutive lay ups. DePaul then ended the first period on an 8-2 spurt to take a 27-25 lead into halftime. 

Detroit stayed in the game for much of the second half, getting within four on two occasions, until the Blue Demons pulled away at the end.

The Titans return to action on Saturday, Nov. 29, when Detroit welcomes fellow Jesuit University Saint Louis into Calihan Hall. Game time is slated for 2:05 p.m.