Game notes vs. Chicago State

Gametracker

Horizon League Network

With just seven games left in the regular season, the Titans will open a three game home stand tomorrow as Detroit welcomes Chicago State into Calihan Hall. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m.

The Horizon League Network will have the action live for fans not able to make it to the contest, while CSTV's gametracker will also have a live stats feed of the game. Both links are located on top of the page.

The red, white and blue suffered two tough losses over the weekend and now stand at 14-10 and 7-6 in the Horizon League. The Titans are just three wins away from clinching its first winning season since 2003-04. Sophomore Chase Simon continues to blossom as a top scorer in the league as he led UDM for the eighth straight game with 20 points at Valparaiso. He is now averaging 15.1 ppg., sixth in the conference.

An independent in Division I basketball last season, Chicago State is a member of the Great West Conference and comes into the contest at 7-17 and 2-5 in league play. The Cougars recently ended a nine game losing streak last Thursday when they defeated Utah Valley, 43-42, but fell in overtime to Houston Baptist on Saturday, 85-83. 

Junior Carl Montgomery leads the team in scoring at 12.3 points per game while grabbing a team-best 8.4 rebounds per night. Chicago State is averaging just 59.9 ppg., while giving up 69.9 ppg. CSU is also shooting just 24 percent from behind the arc.

Detroit will also see Green Bay and Milwaukee in the Motor City as the Titans head back into HL play later in the week.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A HALF MAKES
The Titans have proven to be a great second half team this season, highlighted by their play in the last two weeks. 

Against Valparaiso its last time out, UDM trailed by 19 at halftime, 43-24, but outscored the Crusaders 26-4, including an 18-0 run at one point, to take the lead, 50-47. Detroit was just 7-of-36 (19%) from the field in the first period and turned that around with a 16-of-29 (55%) performance in the second. 

In their sweep of the conference's Chicago schools two weeks ago, the Titans trailed by two at the half in both games, but went on a 15-2 run against Loyola to turn a four-point deficit (39-35) into an 11-point advantage and a lead they would never relinquish. 

Against UIC, Detroit was down two (38-36), but went on a 16-0 spurt to go out in front by 14, 52-38, and another lead it would maintain. 

Overall, the Titans are averaging 38.2 points, and shooting 51 percent in the second half compared to 31.9 points and 41 percent in the first period of play.

DETROIT VS. CHICAGO STATE
The Titans and Cougars have hooked up 14 previous times with UDM owning an 11-3 mark, including a 7-1 advantage in Calihan Hall. 

Overall, Detroit has won four in a row over the Cougars and eight of the last nine meetings.

CALIHAN HALL TOUGH PLACE TO PLAY FOR NON-CONFERENCE TEAMS
The Titans have made life tough for non-conference opponents visiting Calihan Hall. Detroit is 51-12 in its last 63 home games against non-league schools.

KENNEDY'S BIG DAY AGAINST CSU
Senior Thomas Kennedy had one of his best games in his career in last year's meeting at Chicago State, Kennedy tallied his career high 24 points for the first time against the Cougars connecting on a career best nine field goals with five steals. 

He also had nine rebounds and three assists.

STEPHENS' TOO
Senior Eulis Stephens had a fine outing against the Cougars last year netting a season-high 17 points on 5-of-7 shooting and a perfect 6-of-6 effort at the free throw line.

AROUND THE RIM
Detroit tied its season high with 21 offensive rebounds against Valparaiso, which included 15 offensive boards in the first half.

HL PLAY COMING DOWN THE STRETCH
The Titans will begin this week with a non-conference affair with Chicago State, but with five Horizon League games left, including just two at home, Detroit still has a great opportunity for a home first-round game and even a second seed and a two-game bye into the semi-finals of the conference tournament. 

The Titans sit at 7-6 in the conference just 2.5 games behind second place Cleveland State, who has played one less contest than Detroit, and have games left against every team currently on top of them in the standings except Butler.