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Gallup Talons make history with opening night win

November 21, 2005 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Gallup Outlaws News Release


Gallup, NM. The Gallup Talons made history as the team became the first professional team to play a game in the City of Gallup, New Mexico. The Talons defeated the New Mexico Style, 122-114 to begin a brand new brand of basketball for the city. The crowd of 1,345 at Gallup Junior High School was treated to a barrage of highlights including several acrobatic Talon dunks. The team opened the game quickly as guard Will Funn set the tone early by converting on several shots on his way to his first triple double of the year.

Funn, the former NCAA leader in assists finished the game with ten assists including several highlight alley-oop passes. The Talons controlled the momentum for most of the first quarter as forwards Louis Richardson and Bernard McIntosh controlled the glass and converted off of several offensive rebounding opportunities.

McIntosh, who took an inadvertent elbow to his eye that required stitches, came back to the game and outmuscled Style players for a team high 17 rebounds to go with 20 points. In the second quarter, the Talons swayed the momentum their way as Brandon Mason, the former New Mexico State standout, had the dunk of the night as he received a lob and stuffed it igniting the crowd.

"Coach Shields just gave me confidence out there tonight and we really meshed as a team," said the jubiliated Mason after the game. Center Bob Kalabacuboo kept the momentum going for the Talons as he took a pass and slammed it in furthering the excitement of the crowd. Guards Larry Morinia and Malcolm Conners also contributed several threes of their own in the first half and more importantly, both played stout defense and were all over the court throughout the game.

At the end of the first half, the Talons had a 62-55 lead after putting together a run in the last five minutes of the first half. In the second half, the Style went on an 8-0 run to begin the third quarter, but the Talons showed their poise in handling the run. The Talons got back on track as local favorite Matt Vail hit a three to re-start the scoring for the Talons. The team was led by Brandon Mason with 30 points and 6 rebounds, Bernard McIntosh had 22 points and 17 rebounds while Louis Richardson had 16 points and 9 rebounds. Will Funn had 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his triple double.

The Talons will travel to Santa Fe on Fri, Nov 25 and Sat, Nov 26 to play the New Mexico Style and then will play thier next home game on Nov 27 against the Texas Tycoons. If you are looking for tickets for next Sundays game or any other home game, please visit the Gallup Herald office or call 722 9766 or visit www.abalive.com.

Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.

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