FLINT -- The Mott Bears deviated from their normal formula on Saturday, and it nearly cost them a victory.

Accustomed to starting slow and then eventually overwhelming their opponents, the Bears flipped the script on Saturday by getting off to a blistering start...and then nearly watching their lead completely evaporate.  Mott jumped out to an 18-4 lead over the Oakland Raiders, but the visitors eventually narrowed the gap to just 27-22 at halftime.  Oakland continued their comeback in the second half, but the Bears held on for the key victory, 66-65.

Doug Anderson led the way with 20 points, while Demetrius Miller and Mike Brigham added 15 and 11 points, respectively.  Brigham also added nine rebounds.

With the victory, Mott improves to 25-2 and 13-1 in conference play, and took a huge step closer to securing an Eastern Division crown.  The Bears will travel to Kirtland on Monday night before closing out the regular season on Wednesday night versus Schoolcraft at Ballenger Field House.  If Mott secures the division crown ,they will host the Western Division winner next Saturday at Ballenger Field House in the state playoffs.  Tip-off time will be 3 p.m. against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.