BOXSCORE

PITTSBURGH, February 19, 2007 – Corey Minnifield scored a game-high 29 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead a second half charge for Pittsburgh (3-29), but Minot (21-11) held on for a 104-101 victory in Continental Basketball Association action at Mellon Arena.

Minot won the opening quarter (27-23) and also picked up the second quarter to lead by 16 at intermission, 56-40. A 16-4 spurt helped the Skyrockets gain control of a game that was knotted at 30-30.

The Skyrockets pushed their advantage out to as many as 21 points, 65-44, early in the third quarter, when the Xplosion began to mount a comeback. Minnifield and Dajaun Tate combined to score 19-straight Xplosion points and sparked a charge that saw the Black and Gold capture the third quarter, 33-25.

Pittsburgh continued its comeback in the final quarter, outscoring Minot, 28-23, but eventually succumbing, 104-101.

Minnifield finished shooting 10-21 from the floor and 9-12 from the line and ended with 29 points and eight boards. Five other Xplosion players finished in double-figures led by Rob Griffin, who had 21 points and nine rebonds. Eric Williams added 18 points and nine boards in his first home game. Lewis Monroe (12 points), Tate (11 points) and Kevin Frey (10 points) also posted double-digits.

Des Ferguson paced Minot with 28 points, connecting on 5-8 three-pointers. Ray Cunningham notched a double-double with 21 points and 10 boards.

Minot shot 51.2 percent (42-82), while Pittsburgh conected on just 44 percent (36-81) of its shots. Free thows helped keep the Xplosion close, hitting 24 of 37 charity attempts, while the Skyrockets were 14-19.

The Xplosion return to the court on Wednesday night when the American Conference leading Albany Patroons invade the Petersen Events Center. Tip-off is slated for for a 7:05 PM. For more information visit www.pittsburghxplosion.com or call the 877-410-9900.