14ers Topple T-Birds; Clinch Top Seed for Post-Season
April 7, 2009 - NBA G League (G League)
Colorado 14ers News Release
DENVER - April 7, 2009 - Trey Gilder and Billy Thomas combined for 59 points in leading the Colorado 14ers to a 129-121 win over the Albuquerque Thunderbirds at the Broomfield Event Center on Tuesday night. The victory improves Colorado to 33-13 on the season, clinching the Southwest Division title and the top seed in the NBA Development League playoffs.
The division title is the first in the three year history of the 14ers. Colorado's 33 victories is also a new franchise single season record.
"If you would have asked us before the season as a coaching staff if we would have taken this with four games to go, the answer is yes, definitely," said 14ers head coach Bob MacKinnon. "It's a great credit to our players the way our veterans keep things together and our younger players play with energy, and its fun."
With starters Eddie Gill, Josh Davis, and Joe Dabbert all saddled with early foul trouble, Thomas and Gilder took control of the game early in the first half. The two combined for 37 first half points on 14-23 shooting, with Gilder scoring 20 points in the second quarter alone. Thomas and Gilder would finish a combined 23-38 from the field in leading Colorado to the win.
Only two other 14ers scored in double figures on the night, with Josh Davis adding 18 points and 12 rebounds, and John Lucas pouring in 18 off the bench.
Battling for their playoff lives, Albuquerque erased a four point halftime deficit to tie the game at 89 heading to the fourth quarter. The two teams exchanged 13-0 runs early in the fourth before Colorado broke a 112-112 tie and began to pull away with 3:12 remaining. Led by Gilder and a clutch 3-pointer from Josh Davis, Colorado went on a 9-0 run over the next 1:42 to put the game out of reach.
The Thunderbirds were led by 31 points from D-League scoring leader Will Conroy in falling to 23-24 on the season. Antoine Agudio added 21 on 8-13 shooting off the bench, while Mark Walters, Jasper Johnson, and Mouhamed Sene all posted double-doubles for Albuquerque in the loss.
The two teams will tip-off again tomorrow night at the Broomfield Event Center in the final home game of the regular season for Colorado.
For more information on the 14ers schedule and team, log on to www.14ershoops.com. Tickets for all 14ers home games at the Broomfield Event Center are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, 303-830-TIXS, and at www.ticketmaster.com.
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