March 9, 2016

CHICAGO – For the first time in the 2016 season, a new team is on top of the Midwest Professional Basketball Association standings, as the Windy City Groove fell to the Chicago Blues 109-105 at Kroc Center Wednesday.

The loss puts the Groove (8-4) a half-game behind the Pontiac 66ers (9-4), who beat the Gateway Steam in St. Louis just moments before the game in Chicago went final.

Chicago jumped out to a 15-5 lead in the first quarter, but the Groove answered with a 10-0 run to tie the game.  And when the Blues went back up by five, Windy City answered with an 11-2 run to end the first quarter up 26-22.

The two teams exchanged the lead in a tight second quarter, with the Blues taking a one-point lead into the half at 56-55.

Chicago was able to maintain a narrow lead heading into the fourth 85-82, but the Groove took a 92-91 advantage with 7:50 to play on a three-pointer by C.J. Hampton.  The teams exchanged the lead over the next couple possessions, but an Antoine Ware bucket with 5:39 to play gave the Blues a lead they would not relinquish at 95-94.

Windy City got to within two at 107-105, but with :5.1 to play, an errant Dion Cooksey pass sailed into the stands and the Blues iced the game with a pair of free throws.

Jakeem Hill had 24 points and five blocked shots for the Blues (7-4). Four other Blues scored in double figures, and Shakir Johnson blocked six shots for Chicago.

Dion Cooksey had 26 points and six assists for Windy City, while Corbin Thomas scored 21 on several highlight-reel dunks to go along with three blocked shots.  Julian Lewis had 16 points and 14 rebounds for the Groove.