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Chase Simon's (Detroit, MI/Community)17 points led three Titans in double figures as Detroit fought hard all night long at No. 12 California, but fell to the nationally-ranked Golden Bears, 95-61, on Wednesday night in the regional round of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer.

Along with his 17, the junior grabbed six rebounds and had an assist. Sophomore Eli Holman (Richmond, CA/Richmond), playing just 20 minutes away from his hometown, had 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks, while senior Thomas Kennedy (Detroit, MI/Southeastern) added 14 markers.

Cal led right from the start, but every time the Golden Bears appeared ready to put the game away early, the Titans would claw their way back into the contest. It didn't help UDM at all that Cal got to the line 35 times, converting 30.

Detroit trailed by a slim one-point margin, 10-9, six minutes into the game before the first run of the night gave Cal a 13-point advantage, 27-14 with seven minutes to go in the half.

UDM was able to keep Cal at bay for the next few minutes and was down by just nine, 34-25, until a 6-0 spurt gave the Golden Bears their largest lead in the first half, 40-25, with 1:33 to go.

The Titans, though, ended the half on an 8-0 run to slice the deficit to eight, 40-32. Simon was the catalyst, starting the run with a pair of free throws. After senior Woody Payne (Inkster, MI/Ypsilanti) came up with a steal, he found Kennedy streaking to the basket for a dunk, while another Titan forced turnover led to Simon hitting a three in the corner with just seven seconds to go.

The momentum carried over into the second half as another Payne steal set up a Simon layup, while Kennedy's jumper in the next possession got Detroit to within four, 40-36, just a minute and a half into the second period.

Detroit though could not get any closer as a quick 8-0 strike by Cal put the lead back into double digits. The Titans would cut the lead to just six, 50-44, thanks to back-to-back baskets by junior Xavier Keeling (Huntsville, AL/J.O. Johnson), but a 16-3 explosion by California opened up a 66-47 lead that proved to be too much to overcome.

Along with his four steals, Payne had four helpers, while Keeling finished with six points and eight boards.

The red, white and blue will now get ready for its home opener on Sunday, when the Titans host in-state rival Western Michigan. The event is part of Titan basketball doubleheader extravaganza as all kids 18 and under get in free as the women will play Michigan State at noon with the men's contest to start at 3 p.m.