Box Score

Post-Game Press Conference On Titan YouTube

Sophomore Chase Simon (Detroit, MI/Community) had a team-high 15 points and senior Thomas Kennedy (Detroit, MI/Southeastern) added 12, but a late rally ended all hopes of an upset as the Titans fell to No. 23/15 Butler, 63-58, on Thursday evening at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Detroit (14-9, 7-5 HL) spotted Butler 10 quick points as the home team led 10-0 just three minutes into the contest. UDM was able to regain its composure and take a one-point lead, 16-15, at the 10:24 mark as senior Woody Payne (Inkster, MI/Ypsilanti) nailed a 3-pointer.

After Butler hit a basket on its next possession, Payne would once again give the Titans the lead, 18-17, with his second straight jumper, this time for two. That would be the last time the red, white and blue was in front, although a bucket by Simon at 2:01 knotted the score at 24, before BU went into the locker room up by four, 30-26.

The Bulldogs ran their advantage to seven early in the second half, but the Titans would fight back. Down 41-35 at the 13:07 mark, senior Eulis Stephens (Detroit, MI/Southeastern) crashed the boards for an offensive rebound and layup and that was later followed with a trey from Simon and UDM was within one, 41-40.

Detroit could not get any closer as the Bulldogs ran their lead back to seven, 53-46, but a Payne layup and another Stephens' offensive board and put back made it a one possession game with four minutes left. Butler would hit its free throws down the stretch and come up with some timely scores to hold off the Titans in the end.

Payne ended the game with nine points, three assists and three steals, while Stephens added six markers and three rebounds.

The defense held the usually good 3-point shooting Bulldogs to just 2-of-13 from the outside and forced 21 Butler turnovers.

The game was televised on FOX Sports Detroit and fans wishing to catch a replay of the close contest can tune into FS Detroit on Friday either at 2:00 a.m., or at noon.

Detroit will now get ready for the back end of this two-game road trip when the Titans travel to Valparaiso on Saturday in the Horizon League Network Game of the Week. Tip-off is slated for 2:00 p.m. More details on the options for watching Saturday's contest on television will be available in tomorrow's preview.