AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (Interstat) — In a critical late-season Horizon League clash defined by offensive efficiency and crucial defensive stands, the Detroit Titans avenged a loss from just over a month ago by outlasting the Oakland Golden Grizzlies 95-89 on Saturday afternoon at a packed Athletics Center O’rena.

The victory, secured before an announced crowd of 3,721, pushed Detroit to 15-14 overall, while Oakland dropped to 16-15, setting up a tense final stretch for both teams ahead of the conference tournament.

The game’s most important sequence unfolded late in the second half, with Detroit clinging to a narrow lead. After Oakland’s Tuburu Naivalurua converted a pair of free throws to cut the Titans’ advantage to 78-77 with 5:28 remaining, Detroit’s defense catalyzed a decisive run. On the ensuing Golden Grizzlies possession, Detroit’s Orlando Lovejoy stripped Oakland’s Isaac Garrett, leading to a fast-break layup by Lovejoy. Following an Oakland miss, Lovejoy struck again with another driving layup, pushing the lead to five. After a defensive stop, Lovejoy capped a personal 6-0 burst with a mid-range jumper, extending Detroit’s lead to 86-80 with 2:38 to play. Oakland never got closer than four points the rest of the way.

That flurry was emblematic of a game where Detroit’s backcourt duo proved unstoppable. Lovejoy, a Detroit native, led all scorers with 29 points, adding four assists. He was complemented by the game’s top star, TJ Nadeau of South Lyon, Michigan, who poured in 28 points and dished out five assists. The pair combined for 57 points on efficient shooting, consistently answering Oakland rallies.

The Golden Grizzlies were led by a formidable performance from Australian forward Tuburu Naivalurua, who scored 24 points and grabbed three rebounds. Point guard Brody Robinson of Houston orchestrated the offense with 19 points and nine assists, while Brett White of Battle Creek added 17 points, including five three-pointers.

Despite Oakland’s potent offense, which shot 54.4% from the field and made 10 three-pointers, Detroit’s precision was even sharper. The Titans shot 54.1% overall and were relentless in attacking the rim, attempting 29 free throws and making 23. A key disparity came in ball security and playmaking; Detroit committed only six turnovers while forcing Oakland into 13, and the Titans out-assisted the Golden Grizzlies 7-4.

The first half set the tone for the shootout, with Detroit taking a 49-42 lead into the break. The Titans built that advantage on the strength of a 12-2 run midway through the period, fueled by Nadeau’s outside shooting and Lovejoy’s penetration. Oakland stayed within striking distance thanks to White and Naivalurua, but could never overtake the visitors after the early minutes.

Detroit’s offensive rating of 128.8 points per 100 possessions underscored its effectiveness, slightly edging Oakland’s 122.8. The Titans also received significant contributions from Legend Geeter, who had 13 points and six rebounds, and Tyler Spratt, who added 15 points.

The win marked a significant rebound for Detroit, which had lost at Robert Morris earlier in the week, and for Nadeau, who was held to 12 points in that defeat. It also snapped a two-game winning streak for Oakland in the series, after the Golden Grizzlies won in Detroit on Jan. 24.

Both teams conclude their regular seasons next week, with the Horizon League Tournament seeding hanging in the balance. The result ensured the season series split and could prove pivotal for tournament positioning.