Box Score

The Detroit Titans scored the game's first eight points and never looked back as first-year head coach Ray McCallum and UDM started the new season with an 85-60 exhibition victory over the Tiffin Dragons on Saturday at Calihan Hall. 

Four Titans scored in double digits on the day, led by senior Chris Hayes' (Chicago, IL/Mt. Carmel) double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Juniors Eulis Stephens (Detroit, MI/Southeastern) and Thomas Kennedy (Detroit, MI/Southeastern) notched 18 points apiece, while junior Xavier Keeling (Huntsville, Al/J.O. Johnson) added 12. 

Detroit took command right from the start, hitting four of its first seven shots and forcing three turnovers in the first four minutes of play to take a quick 8-2 lead. Detroit later went on an 18-3 run to blow the game wide open. Stephens led the surge, scoring seven points, while Keeling added four points, two rebounds and a steal during the run. UDM would extend its lead throughout the half, taking a 28-point advantage, its largest of the first half, 43-15, with just two minutes left. 

The Titans continued their strong play in the second half, opening a 30-point lead on three occasions. 

UDM dominated the boards, outrebounding Tiffin, 39-29. UDM also created 25 turnovers and blocked 10 shots, including five by junior Jason Bennett (Jacksonville, FL/Arlington Country Day). 

The Titans will now get ready for their official season opener next Friday, Nov. 8, when the Titans head to West Lafayette, IN, for a showdown with the 10th-ranked Purdue Boilermakers. The game will be streamed live on ESPN360, with tip-off slated for 9 p.m. (EST).