Box Score

Junior Xavier Keeling (Huntsville, AL/J.O. Johnson) tied his career high with 21 points, and sophomore Eli Holman (Richmond, CA/Richmond) netted his first-ever 20-point game as the Titans won their third straight, 66-54, over Albany in the second game of the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer.

“I am very happy with the guys' preparation right now,” said head coach Ray McCallum. “We have played two good teams on back-to-back days and have really played well. We have to close it out tomorrow now against Alcorn State.”

Along with his 20 points, Holman grabbed a game-high 14 boards, while Keeling collected five rebounds, two helpers and two steals. That Titan duo became the first pair of Detroit players to score 20 or more in a game since Feb. 17, 2007, when Ryvon Covile had 23 and Brandon Cotton 22.

It looked as though UDM would cruise to an easy win as the team led by as many as 15 in the first half, but Albany would get to within four, 40-36, with 18:07 left in the game. The Titans, though, composed themselves as Keeling got inside for a layup and senior Thomas Kennedy (Detroit, MI/Southeastern) would add a free throw to push the lead back to seven.

Detroit was leading by six, 47-41, and would put any attempt of an Albany comeback away with an 18-5 run to open its largest lead of the contest, 65-46 with four minutes left in the game before settling for the 12-point victory.

The Titans held the host school to 36% shooting, including just 30% in the second half, and forced 20 turnovers. It was the second game in a row that UDM had an opponent commit 20+ miscues after Robert Morris had 22 yesterday.

Senior Woody Payne (Inkster, MI/Ypsilanti) added a game-high five assists and four steals, his 12th career game with at least four thefts.

Detroit trailed by seven, 12-5, just four minutes into the game, but the Titan defense stepped up for the second straight contest, holding the Great Danes to just seven points in the next 11 minutes. During that span, UDM built a 15-point advantage, 34-19, with 5:30 left in the first stanza.

Detroit will aim for its first four-game winning streak since 2005 when the Titans close out their three-game, three-day subregional tomorrow against Alcorn State. Tip-off is slated for 2:30 p.m.