Xplosion rallies, but Utah pulls away late
Published on December 29, 2006 under Continental Basketball Association 1 (CBA 1)
Pittsburgh Xplosion News Release
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH , December 29, 2006 - Greg Jenkins and Kevin Pittsnogle each posted double-doubles to rally the Pittsburgh Xplosion (0-10) from a 13-point third quarter deficit, but the Utah Eagles (5-8) went on top late and pulled away down the stretch for a 124-112 victory in Continental Basketball Association action at the Lifetime Activities Center on the Redwood Campus of Salt Lake City Community College. Jenkins led the Xplosion with season-highs of 26 points and 12 rebounds and Pittsnogle added 19 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, and 10 boards.
Things looked bright early for the Black and Gold, as Jenkins scored 10 first quarter points to help the Xplosion build an 11-point lead, 15-4. The Eagles, however, finished the period on an 8-1 run to get within a single point after 12 minutes of play, 22-21.
Utah took its first lead on the opening bucket of the second quarter. Pittsburgh briefly reclaimed the lead, but it slipped away and the contest was knotted at 30-30 and 32-32. The Eagles took control of the game thanks to an 11-2 spurt and led 43-34 midway through the frame. They held a 14-point advantage at 54-40 and held a 10-point edge at intermission, 58-48, winning the second quarter, 37-26.
Utah's largest lead of the game, 71-56, came after back-to-back buckets by John Millsap. The tide then began to change in favor of the Xplosion. Jenkins, Marvin Phillips and Marc Williams keyed an 11-4 spurt by the Black and Gold that whittled the deficit down to six points, 77-71. The Eagles pushed it back out to double figures, but Pittsburgh roared back with a 13-4 surge that made it a one-point game just before the end of the perios, 85-84.
Perhaps the games most pivotal play came with just seconds left in the frame. Pittsburgh had a chance to draw within one or tie the game after three quarters, but Jenkins was whistled for his fifth personal foul on the offensive end of the floor. The Xplosion won the quarter 36-29 and trailed after three periods, 87-84.
Pittsnogle came alive in the fourth quarter to help Pittsburgh regain the lead. He tied the game at 92-92 with a bucket and put the team on top with a pair of free throws. Consecutive baskets by Isaac Jefferson would provide Pitt with its largest lead of the quarter, 98-95.
Utah regained the lead, but the Xplosion were within one point, 101-100, after a basket by Bryant McAllister. The Eagles, however, proceeded to score 15 of the next 20 points to deliver a knockout blow and go on to the 124-112 win.
In addition to Jenkins and Pittsnogle, McAllister added 13 points, Phillips chipped in 12 and Shawn Hawkins added 11 and Williams finished with a career-high 10.
The Xplosion won both the first and third quarters to pick up a pair of quarter points, but dropped the contest, 5-2.
Pittsburgh wraps up a three-game West Coast swing on Saturday evening against the Butte Daredevils and return home for a New Year's Day tilt with the Albany Patroons at Mellon Arena..
Continental Basketball Association 1 Stories from December 29, 2006
- Xplosion rallies, but Utah pulls away late - Pittsburgh Xplosion
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