Eagles fly just high enough to calm Xplosion 124-112
December 30, 2006 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
Utah Eagles News Release
John Millsap simply would not allow the Utah Eagles to lose, and Ali Berdiel quarterbacked the Eagles to a 124-112 win over Pittsburgh. Millsap, back in the starting line up replacing Bryant Markson had his 4th double double of the year as Utah improved to 5-8 on the year.
Pittsburgh jumped out to an early 15-4 lead behind Greg Jenkins and his 10 points, but four trouble sent Jenkins to the bench and Utah got a boost from Millsap and Tyler Jones. Jones came off the bench to give Utah 6 points in the period. Pittsburgh led 22-21 after one quarter.
Millsap then took over the game with an array of dunks and drives for 10 points in the second quarter. Eagles forward Harold Arceneaux took control of the post play, adding 11 points, and Mike Hall added 9 off the bench as Utah took a 13 point lead at one point. Kevin Pittsnogle hit two three pointers for the Xplosion to cut the lead to 58-48 at the half.
Jenkins re-emerged as a dominant force in the third, scoring 16 points on post moves and follow up baskets. Rob Griffin answered with 10 points, and Millsap had 8 points in a key run that kept Utah in the lead at 87-84.
Pittsnogle gave the Xplosion a lead at 93-92, and kept Pittsburgh in the game with 11 fourth quarter points. Utah went on a 20-5 run down the stretch, led by Millsap and Ali Berdiel, who controlled the game with two key steals that were converted into slam dunks in transition by Arceneaux and Griffin. Berdiel finished the quarter with 10 points and 4 assists. The group of Millsap, Arceneaux, Berdiel and Griffin combined for 33 of the Eagles 37 points in the final period.
Millsap finished with 30 points and 16 rebounds, while Griffin added 21 points. Arceneaux finished with 20 points, while Tyler Jones had his best performance of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Berdiel finished with 12 points and 6 assists.
Jenkins finished with 26 points and 12 rebounds leading Pittsburgh, while Pittsnogle added 19 points and 10 boards.
Utah faces the defending champion Yakama Sun Kings Jan 2 in Salt Lake City. For more information visit www.utaheagles.com.
• Discuss this story on the Continental Basketball Association 1 message board...
Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from December 30, 2006
- Eagles fly just high enough to calm Xplosion 124-112 - Utah Eagles
- Alley Cats Lose a Tough One in Butte - Indiana AlleyCats
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
