January 16, 2016

Don’t tell the Pontiac 66ers they’re an expansion team.

Durrell Robinson’s team is 2-0 after defeating the defending league champion Champaign Swarm 135-128 Saturday night at Pontiac High School.  Pontiac’s season-opening win a week ago came against another 2015 playoff team, the Gateway Steam.

A high-scoring first quarter saw the Swarm up 41-32, but a 16-2 run by the 66ers gave Pontiac a 46-43 lead in the second.  The two teams ended the half tied at 66.

Oliver McGlade and Michael Rogers helped the Swarm to a 77-74 lead midway through the third period, and the two teams stayed close into the fourth quarter.

The game was tied at 118 with 4:38 left when Pontiac’s Jake Anderson led his team on a 17-10 run to end the game.

Anderson finished with 28 points for Pontiac.  Alfonzo Houston poured in 20, as eight 66ers scored in double figures.  Marcus Hammond had 14 points, eight rebounds, four steals and three blocked shots.

Michael Rogers dropped in 33 for the Swarm (0-2).  Adrien Coleman added 24 points and four assists, while Oliver McGlade scored 20.  Jordan Walker scored 18 points and blocked four shots.  Booker Stoudmire and Matt Neaville also scored in double figures.

The same two teams tangle again Monday in Champaign.