FORT WAYNE, Ind. (Interstat) — In a game defined by razor-thin margins and critical late-game execution, the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons edged the Detroit Titans 81-77 in a Horizon League men’s basketball contest Sunday at Gates Sports Center.

The Mastodons improved to 7-6 overall, while Detroit fell to 4-7 in a matchup where the final outcome hinged on a decisive sequence in the closing seconds.

Purdue Fort Wayne, which led for over 37 minutes, never could fully shake a persistent Detroit team. The Mastodons took a 40-33 lead into halftime and maintained a cushion for much of the second half, but the Titans clawed back. With just over a minute to play and Purdue Fort Wayne leading 77-75, Detroit’ Keshawn Fisher converted an offensive rebound to tie the game, setting the stage for the final minute.

The most important sequence began with 48 seconds remaining. Detroit’s TJ Nadeau was called for a foul on Mastodons guard DeAndre Craig, sending him to the line. Craig, a Chicago native, calmly sank both free throws to put Purdue Fort Wayne ahead 79-77. On the ensuing possession, Detroit worked the ball to Legend Geeter, who was fouled on a shot attempt with 38 seconds left. Geeter missed the first free throw, and after a Purdue Fort Wayne timeout, he also missed the second.

The Mastodons’ Corey Hadnot secured the defensive rebound, a crucial play among his game-high 15 rebounds to go with 15 points. Purdue Fort Wayne then bled the clock before Detroit was forced to foul Hadnot with 7 seconds left. Hadnot missed the first free throw but made the second, extending the lead to 80-77.

Detroit, out of timeouts, rushed upcourt, but a desperate pass by Legend Geeter was intercepted by Purdue Fort Wayne’s Mikale Stevenson with 5 seconds left. Stevenson was fouled and made one of two free throws to seal the four-point victory.

The game was ultimately won on the margins where Purdue Fort Wayne excelled. Despite shooting just 14 of 27 from the free throw line overall, the Mastodons made them when it counted late. More critically, they committed only two turnovers the entire game, compared to nine for Detroit. This pristine ball security allowed Purdue Fort Wayne to score 12 points off turnovers while surrendering only four. The Mastodons also capitalized on second chances despite being out-rebounded offensively 15-6, scoring efficiently with an offensive rating of 117.7 on 69 possessions.

Stevenson, a Fort Wayne native, led all scorers with 22 points, adding four assists. Craig provided vital backcourt support with 16 points and three assists. For Detroit, Nadeau of South Lyon, Michigan, and Tyler Spratt of Farmington, Michigan, each scored 16 points, with Spratt hitting three 3-pointers. Fisher added 14 points off the bench.

The Mastodons shot 48% from the field but were hampered by 9-of-28 shooting from 3-point range. Detroit shot 41% overall and a more efficient 9 of 20 from beyond the arc, but were ultimately undone by their handful of turnovers and the Mastodons’ flawless care of the ball.

A crowd of 2,383 at the Gates Sports Center saw the Mastodons hold serve as a pregame favorite, though the combined score of 158 landed just under the projected total. Purdue Fort Wayne next travels to face Notre Dame on Sunday. Detroit will host Siena Heights on Saturday. The two Horizon League foes are scheduled to meet again in Detroit on Jan. 21.