Xplosion defeat Nighthawks in final game
February 28, 2006 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Pittsburgh Xplosion News Release
PITTSBURGH, FEB. 28, 2006 -- The Pittsburgh Xplosion came back from a 15-point halftime deficit to beat the Maryland Nighthawks 111-108 at Mellon Arena and secure a first-round bye in the ABA playoffs in March. DeVaughn Halsel led the Xplosion with 23 points and 9 rebounds, including two free throws that sealed the victory with just 2.2 seconds remaining in the game. Janerio Spurlock contributed 21 and Armon Gilliam added 20 and 7 rebounds as Pittsburgh improved to 18-11 for the season. Randy "White Chocolate" Gill led the Nighthawks (20-9) with 21 points but he missed a crucial foul shot that would have tied the score at 109 with less than 1 minute remaining in the game. Pittsburgh outscored Maryland 35-23 in the fourth quarter.
The game pitting two of the ABA's Top Ten teams attracted the second-largest crowd of the season (1,700 fans) to Mellon Arena. Prior to the game, Pittsburgh ranked 7th in the 39-team ABA and Maryland ranked 5th. Both teams have first-round byes in the upcoming ABA playoffs.
Pittsburgh will host a second round ABA playoff game at either Mellon Arena or the Petersen Events Center in mid-March. The date and opponent will be announced in the near future.
Including a forfeit for a game that was cancelled earlier this season, Pittsburgh finishes its first ABA regular season with a record of 19-11.
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
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American Basketball Association Stories from February 28, 2006
- Xplosion defeat Nighthawks in final game - Pittsburgh Xplosion
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