Perhaps sensing that their only chance is keeping Donald Trump from winning outright before the convention, Sens. Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz slung the mud in a joint effort to take down the front-runner.

With many analysts now believing the strategy must shift to holding Trump’s delegate count down and provoking a brokered convention, Rubio and Cruz trained much more of their fire on Trump than on each other.

One of the first questions at the Fox News debate was fired at Sen. Marco Rubio by moderator Bret Baier and concerned his campaign promise not to engage in personal attacks — and his recent decision to retreat on that promise. But Rubio defended his change in strategy. “This campaign, for the last year, Donald Trump has basically mocked everybody with personal attacks,” said Rubio. “So if there is anyone who has ever deserved to be attacked that way, it has been Donald Trump.”

Trump responded by rescinding his attack on Rubio in which he called him a lightweight. But the pleasantries ended there as the candidates continued to brawl.

Sen. Ted Cruz tried to stay above the fray, but nevertheless waded into the bloodied waters. “And I don’t think the people of America are interested in a bunch of bickering schoolchildren,” said Cruz. “They are interested in solutions, not slogans. It’s easy to say, ‘Make things better, make things great.’ You can even print it and put it on a baseball cap,” he added, in a shot at Trump and his caps.

Both Cruz and Rubio engaged in the same political warfare, trying to tarnish Trump for what they believe to be a less-than-conservative record and lack of policy specifics, while Trump resorted to name-calling. Trump continued with his attacks on both Cruz and Rubio, painting them as liars, “little,” and con artists.

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But Trump also took the opportunity to defend himself and his changes in position. “I’ve never seen a successful person who wasn’t flexible, who didn’t have a certain degree of flexibility,” he said.

What’s more, the debate turned to focusing on recent leaks that Trump met with the New York Times editorial board and said off-the-record he would be willing to negotiate on the hot button issue of immigration. Undoubtedly, Trump’s tough talk on immigration has played a significant role in his rise in the polls and popularity among voters. Trump swung back by declaring that he is not flexible on the issue of illegal immigration, especially when it comes to building a wall at the border.

“We need give and take in government. If you don’t have give and take you’re never going to do anything,” said Trump.

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But both Cruz and Rubio hit back, calling for Trump to allow the Times to release the tapes so voters could hear what he said. “If tonight you tell the New York Times to release the audio, they will do it, and we can exactly see what your true views are on immigration,” said Rubio.

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“And, that’s why this New York Times tape is so troubling, because what’s been reported is that Donald told the editorial board of the New York Times, ‘What I’m saying on immigration, I don’t believe,’” said Cruz. “I’m not going to build a wall, I’m not going to deport people, this is all just rhetoric for the voters.”

While Cruz didn’t take direct shots at rival candidate Rubio, he subtly implied there is only room for one consensus candidate against Trump in the race. “Come join us, we welcome you to our team. If you don’t want him [Trump] to be the nominee, I ask you to stand with us,” said Cruz.

Cruz and Rubio needed to make a play for the anti-Trump voters who are still looking for a candidate to support in the election, and Cruz came out on top in his efforts to show why he could defeat Trump and take the fight to Hillary Clinton.

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Cruz chose to highlight Trump’s donations to liberal Democrats over the last 40 years — specifically focusing on his donations to Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign. “How can you stand on a debate stage now with her and say you don’t think she should be president?” said Cruz as he tried to pivot toward the general election.

The only candidate who didn’t engage in such antics was Gov. John Kasich, who continued his “happy warrior” strategy. Kasich was even baited by moderator Chris Wallace to hit Trump for his comments on Vladimir Putin, but Kasich didn’t bite. By deciding not to engage, he focused his attacks on the presumed Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton.

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At the end of the night in Detroit, there was one thing all candidates could agree on: They would support the eventual nominee for the Republican party, even if that nominee is the current GOP front-runner, Donald J. Trump.