Box score (.html)
Box score (.pdf)
Post-game press conference (You Tube)

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.-  The Detroit Titan men's basketball team made a statement with a convincing 75-49 defeat of host Central Michigan in front of a national audience (ESPNU) at McGuirk Arena Saturday night.  Freshman Ray McCallum turned-in an impressive performance, just missing-out on a triple-double with a game-high 23 points, a career-high 11 rebounds and seven assists.

It was the defense that would set the tone for the Titan win.  UDM allowed a season-low 49 points as the Chippewas mustered only a .270 shooting percentage.  CMU (2-8) never got comfortable in its offense with the Titans throwing some zone looks and an imposing paint presence at the Chips.

The first half belonged to the visitors thanks to Detroit giving up just six field goals in the entire session.  CMU managed just 23.1 percent shooting (6-of-26) before halftime and the Titans took advantage by heading to the locker room with an 11-point advantage (31-20). 

A quick 8-2 run in the opening minutes of the second half-- commencing with Jason Calliste's triple to force a CMU timeout, had Detroit in front by 17.  That lead would grow to as many as 27 and the rout was on. 

UDM got contributions not only from McCallum, but former Chippewa Chase Simon and Calliste each contributed 16 points in one of the most emphatic road wins in some time.  LaMarcus Lowe added eight points, six boards and a pair of blocks as Detroit recorded its second straight victory away from Calihan Hall.

Detroit (7-5) plays its final non-conference game --outside of a late-February Bracket Buster contest-- when it heads to Bradley this Wednesday.  Tip time is slated for 8:00 p.m. Eastern.

Notes:  Detroit went back to the starting lineup it used for the first ten games of the season with Simon returning after a one-game absence (illness) ... Freshman McCallum and Central's Trey Zeigler each chose to play collegiately for their father ... The pair have been life-long friends and were teammates in AAU ... Lowe blocked a shot on his first possession in the ball game, marking the 11th time in 12 games that he's notched at least one rejection ... Detroit's previous low for points in a game allowed this season was a 62-point effort by Indiana Tech in the home opener (Nov. 19) ... Calliste had his third game with four three-pointers made (4-for-6).