Box Score

Titan Post-Game Press Conference On Titan YouTube

Four players scored in double figures and Detroit erased a 10-point second half deficit as the Titans stormed past Valparaiso, 77-67, on Friday night on ESPNU. 

Sophomore Eli Holman (Richmond, CA/Richmond) led the way with his sixth double-double of the season, tallying 18 points and 12 rebounds. Senior Thomas Kennedy (Detroit, MI/Southeastern) added 17 points and six rebounds, while junior Xavier Keeling (Huntsville, AL/J.O. Johnson) netted 15 and sophomore Chase Simon (Detroit, MI/Community) added 14. 

“We had a tremendous second half,” said head coach Ray McCallum. “We knew we could have handled it two ways: like we were on national TV and playing for the top of the league, or keep playing like we did at the start. The way we came out was kind of slow, and Valpo came out exactly the way they needed to. They got their rhythm going and we were down 10 before we knew it. This is two games in a row where we displayed great energy and came back in the second half.” 

UDM (11-5, 4-1 HL) was down by 38-28 three minutes into the second half when the Titans started to chop down the Crusader advantage. The Titans would get within one possession seven times but Valparaiso (6-10, 1-3 HL) always had an answer to maintain the lead. 

Finally, Detroit drew even with 7:51 left as Simon hit a three to knot it at 52. The game would also be tied at 56 with 5:42 to go when the Titans took the lead for good with a 14-2 charge to open up their own double-digit lead. 

Keeling and Holman started the come from behind effort with baskets off offensive rebounds. Kennedy then nailed a trey and that was followed by Holman and Simon getting inside for two more layups. A free throw by Simon and a Payne bucket brought the Calihan Hall crowd to its feet as the Titans took a 70-58 lead with just over a minute left. 

Detroit then iced the game by hitting seven straight free throws in the final minute of play. 

The Titans shot 51 percent for the game, including 64 percent in the second half. The defense forced 17 turnovers, turning those into 21 points. 

The Titans trailed early, but climbed back to take a four-point lead, 16-12 midway through the first. Valparaiso stormed right back to take a 34-24 lead into the half outscoring Detroit, 22-8, in the final 10 minutes of the stanza. 

UDM continues its' two game home stand on Sunday as the Titans battle the 24th-ranked Bulldogs in a potential first place show down. 

“Butler has set the standard. They're battle-tested. They played a great schedule from coast to coast to get ready for the conference season,” said McCallum. “From our standpoint, it will come down to our ability to defend, our ability to rebound and our ability to get the ball inside. And we have to take care of the basketball. Butler doesn't make a lot of turnovers and we can't either.” 

The game will tip off at 1:05 p.m. and will be televised on FOX Sports Detroit. The Titan Ticket Office will be open from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and again on game day.