DETROIT (12/14/2019) -- The University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball team saw nine players score and played some inspired ball despite being shorthanded as the Titans fell, 80-72, to Toledo on Saturday at Calihan Hall.

The Titans played the game without sophomore Antoine Davis (flu) and senior B.J. Maxwell (arm).

Graduate senior Brad Calipari led the way with 20 points draining five more 3-pointers, while sophomore Willy Isiani had 11. Junior Dwayne Rose Jr. had 10 points and sophomore Alonde LeGrand finished with six points, six rebounds and seven assists.

The Titans (1-9) led for a majority of the first half and 36-33 at the break. Detroit Mercy was then up 58-51 with when Toledo (8-2) went on a 17-5 lead to jump out in front.

A plethora of Titans would join in the scoring fracas as play was frenetic and fast-paced. Back-to-back blocks by sophomore Chris Brandon as well as a 3-pointer from Isiani put the Titans in front by seven 29-22 in the first half. 

Detroit Mercy would then go on a 7-1 scoring run to close out the last three minutes of the first, making the score 36-28 before going into the break up three. 

In the second, the Titans saw their lead dwindle down to one, but raised it back to eight on two occasions, the latest at 53-45 as Rose Jr. drove to the rim for a score with 13:28 on the clock. That is when Toledo started to make its run and eventually took the lead.

The Titans had just 10 turnovers and hit 13, 3-pointers, while going 11-of-13 at the line and handing out a season-high 15 assists. Brandon finished with two points, a season-high nine rebounds and a career-best four blocks. 

The Titans will have a few days off before hitting the hardwood again as they come back home Thursday night to Calihan to defend their home court as they host the visiting Huskies of Northeastern. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

First Period: 

• A 3-pointer from sophomore Boe Nguidjol started the first possession for Detroit Mercy
• Isiani's 3-pointer forty seconds later gave the Titans their first lead of the basketball game 6-5 
• Back-to-back blocks during a defensive sequence from Brandon midway through the first half (7:38) kept the Titans within striking distance
• A 7-1 scoring run from the Titans the last three minutes along with another Isiani 3-pointer closed out the first half for Detroit Mercy. 
• They would go into halftime up by three 36-33

Second Period: 

• Rose Jr. opened the half with a 3-pointer (17:33). 
• Back-to-back three from Calipari made the game 48-43 with the Titans up five. 
• The Titans would strike again going on another 6-0 scoring run with Calipari leading the charge in the absence of Davis and Maxwell

Game Notes:

• Toledo now leads the all-time series, 35-25
• The Titans non-conference opponents are now 63-32 (64.7%) on the season
• Detroit Mercy came into the game leading the HL and seventh in the country in free-throw percentage at 78.8 percent and were 11-of-13 at the line today
• The 13 triples were the most since draining 15 against UC Irvine
• Rose Jr.'s previous career high was eight against Louisiana Lafayette
• Calipari's previous career high was 16 in the win over UC Irvine
• Calipari has also hit at least two 3-pointers in seven games and connected on four or more in four contests on the season