T-Birds Fall in Overtime
January 29, 2011 - NBA G League (G League)
New Mexico Thunderbirds News Release
Austin, TX - Kevin Palmer scored nine straight points from the end of the fourth quarter to the beginning of overtime to lead the Austin Toros (12-14) to a come from behind victory over the New Mexico Thunderbirds (13-14), 105-103.
The Thunderbirds hit their first six shots of the first quarter and raced out to an early 14-3 lead. Eight of the Thunderbirds nine active players scored in the first quarter and they led 36-26 after one quarter.
In the second quarter, the Thunderbirds extended their lead to 12 with 3:13 remaining. The Toros then closed the half on a 13-4 run to close the gap to 58-55 at the half. Dar Tucker led all scorers with 13 points in the first half and Dominique Coleman nearly had a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds at the break.
The Thunderbirds extended the lead back to seven points in the third quarter, but then the Toros went on an 11-4 run to tie up the game for the first time. At the 3:05 mark Leon Lyons hit a bucket that gave the Toros their first lead of the game. Coleman answered with a three-pointer for the Thunderbirds that started an 8-2 run to close the quarter and gave them an 83-78 lead.
The Toros closed the lead to one point on a couple of occasions in the fourth quarter, but with 7:23 remaining the Thunderbirds went on a 10-3 run to take a 97-89 lead. Palmer scored seven straight points for the Toros including a layup with 31.8 seconds remaining to tie up the game and eventually send it to overtime.
The two teams traded buckets to start overtime, but with 49.9 seconds left Lance Thomas hit a layup that gave the Toros the lead for good.
Tucker led all scorers in the game with 27 points and Coleman ended up getting his double-double with 14 points and 16 rebounds.
The Thunderbirds will be back in action tomorrow when they take on the Texas Legends at 2 p.m.
They will return home on Feb. 1 for the Night of Thunder, in which Rio Rancho High School and Cleveland High School will square off prior to the Thunderbirds game against the Texas Legends. The next night on Feb. 2 is Hoops that Heal night where a portion of the tickets will go to the Susan G. Komen fund.
Thunderbirds' season tickets are currently on sale, with full and partial season packages available. Single game tickets are also now available online at www.nmtbirds.com or by calling 505-265-3865. The Thunderbirds also offer family four packs: 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 nachos, and 4 drinks for $44.
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