Box Score

Ray McCallum's post-game Q&A

Four players scored in double figures and the Titans shot 56 percent en route to an 89-82 victory at Valparaiso in the first round of the 2010 Speedway Horizon League Men's Basketball Championship. It was Detroit's fourth straight victory, third straight on the road, and first win in conference tournament action since 2006.

Sophomore Eli Holman (Richmond, CA/Richmond) was named the U.S. Army Player of the game with a career-high 21 points and 15 rebounds, his 10th double-double of the season. Sophomore Chase Simon (Detroit, MI/Community) added 24 points and senior Eulis Stephens (Detroit, MI/Southeastern) netted a season-high 11 markers. Junior Xavier Keeling (Huntsville, AL/J.O. Johnson) added 14 points and eight rebounds.

Detroit (19-13) connected on 31-of-43 free throws, its' season-high for makes and attempts, while outrebounding the Crusaders, 46-31. The last time UDM hit that many from the charity stripe was on Feb. 8, 2006, when it went 31-of-34 against Cleveland State.

The game was tied at 42 with 15 minutes left when Detroit jumped right back in front as Holman, who had 17 of his points in the second half, was able to get inside for a basket. UDM was able to hold off two Valpo (15-17) attempts for the lead and ahead by one, 48-47, a quick 10-4 spurt gave the Titans a little breathing room with 9:31 left.

Detroit was able to hold at least a six-point lead for the next four minutes until the Crusaders were able to get within three, 68-65. The Titans maintained the three-point lead and up by that margin, 71-68, with 3:23 left, Detroit sealed the win with a 9-0 run to go back up by double digits.

A couple of 3-pointers by Valparaiso down the stretch would cut the advantage to as little as six, but UDM hit 9-of-10 at the line in the final minute of play to seal the win.

The Titans scored 56 points in the second half, the most in any half this season, and held the top shooting team in the league to just 39 percent from the field, after VU came into the contest at 47 percent for the season.

After Valparaiso netted the game's first basket, Detroit jumped in front for the rest of the first half as the Titans steadily increased their lead. Up by four, 14-10, UDM scored eight straight for its first double-digit advantage and were leading by 11, 29-18, with under six minutes to go. The Crusaders then got back in the game cutting the Titan lead to four at the half, 33-29. Simon was the main guy on offense in that stanza, scoring 13 of his points.

The red, white and blue will now face Green Bay, who defeated Youngstown State, on Friday at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Game time for the second-round contest is set for 6:00 p.m.

Detroit will sponsor a fan bus to the game. The Titan fan bus will leave Calihan Hall on Friday at 10am. Cost is $50 per person (includes round trip to Indy). UDM students may ride for just $15 each. Game tickets are not included in bus price, but will be available through Titan Athletics for each round UDM plays in.

Fans will stay at the Towne Place Suites Keystone on Friday night, and rooms may be booked by calling Titan Athletics at 313-993-1700 and asking for Associate Athletic Director Daron Montgomery.