Box Score

Post-game press conference on Titan YouTube

A torrid Titan offense took over in the second half as Detroit used a 16-0 run to jump out in front, but it took sophomore Eli Holman's block of a potential game-tying three to seal the victory as UDM downed UIC, 76-73, on Saturday afternoon. 

The win doubled the Titans' win total from last season as they moved to 14-8 on the year and 7-4 in the conference. It is also the most victories Detroit has had since tallying 16 in 2005-06.

“It feels good to get some momentum, winning back-to-back games,” said head coach Ray McCallum. “It was very important for us to win a close game like this. It should give us some confidence. We put a big emphasis on making our free throws for a situation like this, a close game, and we got enough of them to get it done.”

Sophomore Chase Simon (Detroit, MI/Community) stayed hot with his fifth 20-point game in the last six contests, ending with a team-high 20 points, while also grabbing 10 boards for his second career double-double. Senior Xavier Keeling (Huntsville, AL/J.O. Johnson) had 14 points and five boards, while senior Woody Payne (Inkster, MI/Ypsilanti) posted four points, six assists, seven rebounds and four steals.

The Flames (5-16, 1-10 HL) rebounded a missed free throw and took the ball with eight seconds to go. They would quickly try and set two screens for Robo Kreps to get open but, with the clock winding down, he put up the shot and tried to get it over the outstretched arms of Holman, who batted it into the arms of Simon.

“I had my eye on Kreps all the way,” said Holman. “I knew, in the end of the game scenario, he'd get the ball. I knew there would be a screen or something, but he'd get the ball. I had to shoot across the court, but I figured he'd be the one they'd be going to for the last shot and I had to get there.”

The Titans trailed at the half by two, 38-36, but the defense went right to work, forcing UIC to miss its first 12 shots from the field as Detroit quickly took the lead and ran it to as many as 14, 52-38. The Flames would cut it to one, 60-59, with 6:56 to go, but seven unanswered Titan points would once again give the home team the lead with just 4:32 to play.

Detroit would remain in front the rest of the way with UIC getting within two a few times, but Simon hitting two free throws down the stretch and Keeling splitting a pair would be enough for the triumph.

Senior Thomas Kennedy (Detroit, MI/Southeastern) added 11 markers and Holman (Richmond, CA/Richmond) totaled seven points, seven rebounds and three blocks. The red, white and blue shot 56 percent for the game, including 66 percent in the second half, while winning the battle of the glass, 38-26. Detroit held Kreps, who had 31 points in the last meeting, to just 11 points and no trips to the charity stripe.

UIC got off to a quick start with seven straight points to start the game, but Detroit answered right back. Both teams were on fire early, scoring 29 combined points in the first five minutes of play, and the Flames would build their lead to as many as seven, 29-22, but Detroit roared back to tie the score at 34 before trailing at the half, 38-36.

Detroit will now head to Indianapolis on Thursday for a showdown with first place and 18th-ranked Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The contest will be televised live on FOX Sports Detroit with game time slated for 7:00 p.m.