Fort Worth Flies over the T-Birds
January 14, 2007 - NBA G League (G League)
New Mexico Thunderbirds News Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., January 13, 2007 - In a rematch of last season's NBA D-League Championship, the Fort Worth Flyers easily dismissed the Albuquerque Thunderbirds 124 to 98 en route to their fourth straight win Saturday night.
The Flyers were led by five players in double digits, most notably Jeremy Richardson who led all scorers with 29 points and Pops Mensah-Bonsu who recorded a double-double, 12 points and 12 rebounds. Luke Schenscher also pitched in 20 points and recorded 9 rebounds.
The Thunderbirds were led by Tony Bland's 23 points on 11 of 18 shooting. Five other T-birds scored in double digits, including Joe Shipp who pitched in 18 and Chris Rogers who added 17 points off the bench.
Fort Worth shot close to 60 percent from the floor to open up the game and out re-bounded the Thunderbirds 11-6 in the first quarter to take the lead, 33-24. The run-and-gun offense of the Flyers continued to be hot in the second quarter, outscoring the T-birds by eight. The score was 61-44 at the half.
The Thunderbirds played much better in the second half but the damage was done and Fort Worth added another win to the league's best record. Tomorrow, both teams travel to Sioux Falls, SD to participate in the D-League's annual MLK Showcase. The Showcase, next Monday, January15th, through Wednesday, January 17th, features all twelve D-League teams, and is a great opportunity for players to display their talent for NBA scouts.
Fort Worth will take on the Los Angeles Defenders and Sioux Falls Sky Force in the Showcase before continuing their road trip at Dakota next Friday, January 19th.
The Thunderbirds will face the Tulsa 66ers and Dakota Wizards at the Showcase before returning home next Friday and Saturday, January 19th and 20th to face the Los Angeles Defenders.
Thunderbirds 2006-07 season tickets are already on sale and can be purchased at abqtbirds.com or at the Thunderbirds Front Office. For premium or group seating call the Thunderbirds office at (505) 265-DUNK.
The NBA D-League includes the Albuquerque Thunderbirds (N.M.), Anaheim Arsenal (Calif.), Arkansas RimRockers (Little Rock), Austin Toros (Texas), Bakersfield Jam (Calif.), Colorado 14ers (Broomfield), Dakota Wizards (Bismarck, N.D.), Fort Worth Flyers (Texas), Idaho Stampede (Boise), Los Angeles D-Fenders, Sioux Falls Skyforce (S.D.) and Tulsa 66ers (Okla.).
The D-League continues to develop talent from across all disciplines for the NBA's 30 teams and the entire NBA umbrella. Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the D-League also offers fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. For additional information on the NBA Development League, visit NBADLEAGUE.com.
For additional information about the Albuquerque Thunderbirds call (505) 265-DUNK or log on to www.abqtbirds.com.
NBA G League Stories from January 14, 2007
- Arsenal Suffers Tough Road Loss - Anaheim Arsenal
- Wizards Take Down Arsenal - Dakota Wizards
- D-League daily developments - G League
- Icy Weather Forces D-League Showcase Schedule Shift - G League
- Fort Worth Flies over the T-Birds - New Mexico Thunderbirds
- Seven in a row for Stampede - Idaho Stampede
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