PITTSBURGH, February 25, 2007 – Kevin Pittsnogle scored a team-high 23 points and connected on five of Pittsburgh's (5-30) season-high 15 three-point field goals to lead the Xplosion to a 123-111 victory over Butte (17-19) in Continental Basketball Association action at the Petersen Events Center.

The Black and Gold used its best shooting night of the season to down the Daredevils, hitting 44 of 79 field goal attempts and connecting at a 55.7 percent clip for the game. Pittsburgh also made a season-best 15 off 22 three-pointers, good for 68.2 percent.

A tightly played opening period saw Pittsburgh use a 10-2 run to build an eight-point lead in the first quarter, 24-16. Butte would chop the lead back to just a single point, but the Xplosion hung on to pick up the opening quarter point, 30-28.

The second quarter remained equally tight early, but Butte's David Bell sparked a 10-0 spurt by the Dardevils late in the half to give them the quarter point, 34-25, and the lead at intermission. Butte shot 57 percent in the first half, including 9-11 on three-pointers.

After falling behind by nine on a basketb by Bell to open the second half, Pittsburgh went on a 12-3 run, highlighted by 10 points from Eric Williams, to tie the game at 67-67. The Xplosion eventually reclaimed the lead on a free throw by Williams, 71-70, and would not look back. Pittsburgh would go on to win the quarter, 34-20, and led after three periods, 89-82.

The Xplosion delivered the knockout blow at the outset of the fourth quarter. The Black and Gold outscored Butte 21-6 to start the frame and eventually built a 22-point advantage, 110-88. The Daredevils eventually sliced the lead down to single digits, but Pittsburgh held on to win the quarter, 34-27 and the game.

Pittsnogle shot 9-14 overall and 5-7 from three-point range. Dajuan Tate added 22 points and Shawn Hawkins netted 21 to pace six Xplosion players in double-figures.

Bell netted 30 points to lead Butte. Odartey Blankson added 27 and Odell Bradley tallied 22.

Pittsburgh took six of seven quarter points.

The Xplosion depart on Monday for back-to-back games at Minot on Tuesday and Wednesday night. The team returns home on Saturday, March 3 against the Albany Patroons at Mellon Arena and Sunday, March 4 against Indiana at the Petersen Events Center. For more information visit www.pittsburghxplosion.com or call the Xplosion ticket office at (877) 410-9900.