Box Score

The Titans gave No. 21/20 Butler all it could handle, but senior Tryl Hartfield's last second shot fell just short as the UDM men's basketball team dropped a 54-50 decision to the Bulldogs in Hinkle Fieldhouse on Saturday.

Down by two, 52-50, with under a minute left in the game, Butler (14-1, 5-0 HL) had the ball and was attempting to run the clock down, but the Titan defense would not allow the Bulldogs an open look, forcing two BU timeouts during the possession before a three by Butler's Shelvin Mack went out of bounds.

Detroit (4-11, 0-6 HL) regained possession with 18 seconds left on the clock and, after a timeout of its own, went looking for the win with three players behind the arc, but the defense forced the Titans inside, where Hartfield drove the lane and put up a floater that just grazed the rim. Butler then added two free throws to finish the scoring.

It was a nip and tuck affair to start the game, but UDM jumped out in front for much of the first half, opening an eight-point advantage, 26-18, with just under three minutes to play in the first stanza.

Butler made its run right from the start of the second period, taking the lead by one, 29-28, with 17:01 on the clock, but the Titans never gave up and stayed with the Bulldogs despite being hit with five fouls, including a technical, in the first five minutes of play.

UDM trailed by six, 46-40, with 6:43 left in the game when the Titans went on a 10-3 run to take a one-point lead. A pair of free throws by junior Nemanja Jokic and freshman Jordan Fee started the spurt. After a Butler three-point play, junior Eugene Blue got inside for an offensive rebound and tip in to get Detroit within three, 49-46, at the 3:41 mark.

After a Titan defensive stop, junior Thomas Kennedy hit a pair from the charity stripe to pull the red, white and blue within one, 49-48. The next time down the court, Jason Bennett crashed the glass for an offensive board and tip-in and the Titans had a 50-49 lead with 2:39 left to go.

Kennedy and Blue along with junior Eulis Stephens led the Titans with eight points apiece, a season high for Blue. Jokic added six points and a game-best seven caroms, while Bennett and senior Michael Harrington netted six markers.

Detroit held Butler to just two three-point field goals and 42 percent shooting. The Titans won the battle of the boards, 29-20, including 13 offensive rebounds. UDM also forced 14 BU turnovers.

UDM returns to the court on Friday, Jan. 16, when the Titans host Wright State on ESPNU. Game time is set for 9:05 p.m.