March 9, 2016

ST. LOUIS – For the first time in the 2016 season, there’s a new first-place team in the Midwest Professional Basketball Association, as the Pontiac 66ers moved into the top spot with a 107-102 win over the Gateway Steam at Emerson Performance Center Wednesday, at the same time the Windy City Groove fell to the Blues in Chicago.

The win puts Pontiac (9-4) a half-game on top of the Groove (8-4) with less than three weeks remaining in the regular season. 

Pontiac jumped out to a 25-14 lead after one quarter over the Steam (3-8), and went up 37-22 before a 10-0 Gateway run cut the lead to five.  Pontiac would close out the half on top 47-39.

The 66ers continued to control the second half and led 75-64 heading into the fourth quarter, stretching their lead to 14 during the final period.

But Gateway clawed back, drawing to within four with less than a minute to play.  Pontiac was able to close out the game from the free-throw line.

Alfonzo Houston led Pontiac with 24 points, while Alex Marzette chipped in 18, to go along with eight rebounds and four blocked shots.  Six Pontiac players scored in double figures.

Connell Crossland paced Gateway with 27 points and nine rebounds, as four other Steam scored in double figures.