Pittsburgh turns back Miners
March 13, 2008 - Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1) News Release
PITTSBURGH - Host Pittsburgh battled back from a 17-point first half deficit Tuesday night, rallying to defeat American Conference foe East Kentucky 129-121 at the Petersen Events Center. in a play-in game held as part of the CBA Playoffs.
John DeGroat led Pittsburgh in scoring. DeGroat netted a team-high 31 points for the victorious Xplosion. Seven different Pittsburgh players reached double figures scoring status. Albert White scored 21 points and dished off eight assists for the Xplosion in the play-in game triumph. White went 5-for-8 from beyond the three-point arc. Chaz McCrommon added 20 points as Pittsburgh successful defended its home hardwood.
Pittsburgh dominated in the quarter points category, prevailing 6-1. East Kentucky controlled the opening quarter, outscoring Pittsburgh 32-20. The Miners withstood a strong Pittsburgh charge in the second quarter en route to a 64-61 halftime lead. The Xplosion, claiming each of the last three quarters, went back out in front in the third period. Pittsburgh carried an 85-84 advantage into the final quarter.
Jason McLeish led East Kentucky with a game-high 34 points. McLeish also pulled down five rebounds, dished off four assists and recorded three steals.
All five East Kentucky starters reached double figures in the scoring column. Boo Jackson (27 points, 15 rebounds) and Steve Thomas (14 points, 12 rebounds) each registered a double-double for East Kentucky in the season-ending loss. Mike Dean scored 18 points for the Miners, one of the CBA's four expansion teams for the 2007-08 season. Josh Pace contributed 17 points, nine rebounds and three assists for visiting East Kentucky. The Miners suffered the campaign-closing setback despite outrebounding Pittsburgh 51-38. East Kentucky committed 24 turnovers versus Xplosion pressure. The Miners were also held to only 11 assists.
East Kentucky ended its debut season 26-23.
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