The Storm slowed down league-leading Spokane for a half, and then exchanged scores the rest of the way for a huge 70-62 road win late Saturday.

Spokane came in averaging 70 points per game coming in but it was 28-7 at half thanks to three stops by the Storm. The Shock had only been stopped twice all season in five full games.

Tampa Bay couldn't come up with a stop in the second half but the offense scored on every possession but one, when Adrian McPherson fumbled a snap. The touchdown that resulted pulled Spokane within 28-21 with 10:43 still left in the third quarter. But after a sack rattled McPherson and led to a timeout, he came out and threw a 42-yard TD to Joe Hills and the teams swapped touchdowns the rest of the night.

The teams combined for 97 points in the second half -- an Arena record.

McPherson threw for 310 yards and seven scores. Hills caught five of them and had 10 receptions for 177 yards.

Terrance Sanders, who like McPherson went to Southeast High School, had a monster night on kick returns for Spokane. He averaged nearly 30 yards per return and had a 58-yard score to end the third quarter.

After they pulled within 49-42 the Shock attempted the first of four onside kicks but Tampa Bay came up with every one. After the final score with :41 remaining Tampa Bay finally got a break from the refs with an illegal defense call on the Shock, making it so the Storm could run out the clock.

For the game Tampa Bay was flagged for 17 penalties compared to eight for the hosts.

All of the action aired on sister station 1250 WHNZ. Tampa Bay is now 4-2 for the year while Spokane fell to 5-1. The Storm host New Orleans (1-4) next Saturday at 9 p.m.

TAMPA, FL (Tampa Bay Storm Communications) – The Tampa Bay Storm will take on South Division rival New Orleans VooDoo on Amalie Motor Oil Field at the Tampa Bay Times Forum Saturday, May 4 during Cinco de Mayo Night.  The game, presented by Qdoba, will kick off at 9:00 PM.  A win over the VooDoo will help the Storm improve its division record to 2-1 on the season. 

Prior to kickoff, the fans can take in a performance by the band Point 6 on the Thunder Alley Stage.  Point 6 is a local band from the Tampa Bay area, and it performs songs that touch many different genres of music including Latin Rock and Latin Jazz.  Point 6 will take the stage at 7:00 PM. 

Before the Storm hits the field, the fans will also be able to enjoy $4 Bad Juan Margaritas on the West Patio. 

The team will host a beer tasting presented by Blue Moon Brewing Company on the East Plaza prior to the game from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Fans will be able to sample a variety of craft and import beers while enjoying food presented by Qdoba. Packages start at just $15 and you must be at least 21 years of age. To register contact 813.301.6683 or agoodman@tampabaytimesforum.com. 

The Storm will also be celebrating Star Wars “May the 4th Be With You” Night.  Fans can score a Chase Club ticket for just $35.  A Chase Club ticket will include an all-you-can-eat buffet of food and drink, including beer, wine and soda.  Fans will also receive a commemorative t-shirt, personalized caricature, an exclusive photo op with a Star Wars character and an automatic entry for a chance to win four (4) tickets to Disney’s Star Wars Weekend.  A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the Special Olympics of Hillsborough County.  To order call Kate Kasunic at 813.301.6623. 

Bright House Family Packs are available for fans.  The package includes two tickets, hot dogs and sodas, as well as a free Bright House movie rental starting at $39. Kids tickets are also available for $5 for all children 12 and under and may be purchased the McDonald’s® Ticket Office at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.  Little Caesar’s Night Out tickets can be purchased for $20 and include a slice of pizza and a beer or soda.  Family Packs can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, by calling 800.745.3000 or by visiting the McDonald’s Ticket Office at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. 

The Five-Time World Champion Tampa Bay Storm was awarded the 2012 AFL Support Staff of the Year.  Single game tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, by calling 800.745.3000 or by visiting the McDonald’s® Ticket Office at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.   Season tickets can be purchased by visiting TampaBayStorm.com or by calling 813.301.6600. Additionally fans and sponsors can follow the Storm on Facebook (Tampa Bay Storm) or Twitter (@tampabaystorm) for up to date news and exclusive content.

In a game filled with bizarre plays and changes, notably the first and last scores of the night, the Stom pulled off a 53-35 win at Orlando Saturday.

Tampa Bay withstood an incredible game off the bench by Predators QB Chris Dixon, who led his team from behind 14-0 to a third-quarter lead. In fact the Storm didn't have things wrapped up until after a great touchdown run by Dixon that pulled Orlando within 39-35 -- because Dixon got hurt on the play and did not return.

That score was followed by a clutch 44-yard TD throw from Adrian McPherson to Greg Ellingson for a 10-point advantage. In came Kyle Rowley, who was picked twice in the first quarter, to complete just one pass the rest of the way.

Rowley's first pick got the Storm on the board. From the 1-yard line Orlando could not gain yardage and on third down Rowley was intercepted by D'Audra Dix, who looked headed for a 50-yard score until a fan knocked the ball out of his hands. Rashad Barksdale alertly scooped it for a 15-yard TD.

Chris Smith's interception on the next drive allowed Tampa Bay to go up 14-0 but Dixon energized the crowd and his team and put together three straight touchdown drives. Then the game started to slip away from Tampa Bay as McPherson fumbled on a designed run from the 2-yard line with :05 before halftime.

Orlando then stopped the Storm, again on a short-yardage play, on the opening drive of the second half and the Preds went up 28-27 shortly after.

More wackiness followed. After the Storm retook the lead Orlando was moving again but ex-Storm Amarri Jackson fumbled it away and Mike Lindsey's TD catch made it 39-28. Two more strange ones happened before the Dixon scoring run: Jean Fanor recovered a fumble only to give it right back, and Dixon looked to be going in for a 25-yard run but coughed it up at the goal line, only to learn Tampa Bay had jumped offside so Orlando kept the ball.

And to cap things off, the strangest two-point conversion of all time. McPherson was intercepted by a Predators lineman who had no chance of scoring so tried a lateral. Three more laterals -- including one from Tampa Bay trying to get the two points -- and the ball was the end zone and the Storm recovered it.

Dixon finished 17-of-21 for 198 yards and three scores, running for 60 more yards. Rowley was a disastrous 6-of-17.

McPherson went 12-of-20 for 223 yards and four touchdowns for Tampa Bay, which is 3-2 headed to unbeaten Spokane next Saturday.

Kicker Juan Bongarra was taken to the hospital with chest pains.