Detroit rallies in 2nd half, tops Valparaiso 84-74

VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) — Nick Minnerath and Jason Calliste scored 21 points each as Detroit denied Valparaiso a share of the Horizon League regular-season title with an 84-74 victory on Saturday night.

The Titans (18-9, 10-4) used a 36-11 run to erase a 15-point deficit in the second half and move a half-game behind the Crusaders (20-7, 10-3) in the conference standings. Valpo has three league games left; Detroit two.

Evan Bruinsma had 12 points and 10 rebounds and Ray McCallum Jr. added 15 points, five rebounds and six assists for the Titans, who blew a 22-point second-half cushion at home in an 89-88 loss to the Crusaders on Jan. 17.

Matt Kenney posted 18 points and Will Bogan added 15 as Valpo had five players score in double figures, but it enabled Detroit’s comeback by going scoreless for a 6:06 stretch.

Kenney’s jumper made the score 63-48 with 9:26 remaining, but that was the Crusaders’ last points until Ryan Broekhoff hit two free throws. The Titans took the lead, built a 72-65 advantage with 1:57 to play and protected it by going 10 for 10 from the free throw line in the final 52 seconds.