Xplosion head to all-star break with loss at Great Falls, 121-97
Published on February 3, 2007 under Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
Pittsburgh Xplosion News Release
GREAT FALLS, Montana, February 3, 2007 - Mark Williams and Rob Griffin led a balanced scoring attack for Pittsburgh (2-26), but Great Falls (16-10) shot nearly 60 percent from the floor en route to a 121-97 victory in Continental Basketball Association at the Four Seasons Arena. Playing short-handed, the Xplosion had just seven players available and were without the services of All-Star Kevin Pittsnogle, who missed his first game of the year.
The Explorers grabbed the lead early in the first quarter and were in control throughout the contest, winning the first three quarters and collecting six of seven quarter points. Great Falls won the opening period 37-26 and also captured the second stanza, 32-25, to take 69-51 lead at halftime. The extended their advantage by winning the third quarter, 28-19. The Xplosion salvaged one point by winning the fourth quarter, 27-24.
Both team's shot the basketball well, but Great Falls proved to be more proficient, particularly from three-point range. The Explorers connected at a 59 percent (43-72) clip from the floor and 57 percent (11-19) from three. The Black and Gold shot 51 percent (42-82), but were only 3-19 from beyond the arc. Great Falls also had an advantage at the line making 24-27 charity tosses, while Pittsburgh was just 10-13.
Griffin finished 9-18 from the floor for 19 points. Williams broke out with 19 as well. Dajuan Tate (17 points), Lewis Monroe (15 points) and Shawn Hawkins (12 points) also reached double digits.
The frontcourt tandem of Eric Strand (19 points) and Marc Mazur (18 points) paced seven Explorers in double figures.
Great Falls recorded its third straight victory, while Pittsburgh suffered its tenth straight defeat.
The CBA will take a break this week as the League's top stars convene in Butte, Montana for the CBA All-Star Game and Skills Competition on Tuesday, February 6. Pittsnogle and Griffin will represent the Xplosion for the American Conference.
The Xplosion return to the court on Friday, February 9 at the Petersen Events Center when the Black and Gold host the Albany Patroons at 7:00 PM.
Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from February 3, 2007
- Xplosion head to all-star break with loss at Great Falls, 121-97 - Pittsburgh Xplosion
- Alley Cats Come Up Short Against the Skyrockets - Indiana AlleyCats
- Newcomer Griffin nets 33, but Xplosion falters at Great Falls - Pittsburgh Xplosion
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