PITTSBURGH RALLIES, BUT MINOT SURGES IN FOURTH TO WIN 100-89

BOXSCORE

PITTSBURGH, December 18, 2006 – The Pittsburgh Xplosion (0-6) rallied from a nine-point halftime deficit to take a one-point lead after three quarters, but Minot (6-3) surged in the fourth quarter to notch a 100-89 victory in Continental Basketball Association action at Mellon Arena. Janerio Spurlock led five Xplosion in double-figures with 19 points.

Down by 11 points after Minot scored the first bucket of the second half, the Xplosion went on a 13-4 run to trim the lead down to just a pair, 58-56. The Skyrockets then slowed the charge and pushed the lead back out to seven, but Pittsburgh fought back again and went on top on a bucket by Shawn Hawkins, 74-73. The Xplosion led after three quarters, 76-75.

Minot took control in the fourth quarter, outscoring Pittsburgh 25-13 in the final stanza, winning three of four quarters and picking up six of seven quarter points for the game.

In addition to Spurlock, Greg Jenkins added 13 points and seven board in his return from the injured reserve list. Newcomer Andre Joseph added 11 points and seven assists in his first game. Ray Cunningham had 27 points to pace the Skyrockets.

Pittsburgh returns to the floor on Wednesday evening at Indiana.

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