Peterson Pierces Armor as T-Birds Stretch Winning Streak to Four
March 27, 2011 - NBA G League (G League)
New Mexico Thunderbirds News Release
Rio Rancho, NM - Jamine Peterson put on a fierce offensive display tonight, as the New Mexico Thunderbirds dominated the Springfield Armor and picked up their fourth straight win by a score of 121-101 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass. Peterson scored a career-high 40 points and added 13 rebounds to crash the Armor's final home game party before a crowd of 4,489 fans.
After a back and forth first period featuring numerous lead changes, the teams ended the quarter tied at 31-31. In the second quarter, the Thunderbirds came out strong, led by Jamine Peterson, who took the team on his back and carried a large part of the offensive weight throughout the second quarter, scoring 15 more points to boost the Thunderbirds to a score of 62-51 at the half. On the defensive end, the T-Birds were able to hold Springfield to 7 out of 20 attempts (35%) in the second. In the third quarter, the Thunderbirds stretched their lead with 60 percent shooting (12-20), again limiting the Armor to only 7 of 20 shooting.
For New Mexico, Marcus Hubbard contributed an impressive 20 points and 10 rebounds, and Abdulai Jalloh added 19 points and 6 assists. In all, the T-Birds had six players score in double figures on the night, including Dar Tucker with 11, and Bostic and Giddens with 10 each. T-Birds' All Star, Shane Edwards, did not play for the second straight game. Craig Brackins, who was recently reassigned from the Philadelphia 76ers, scored a team-high 23 points for the Armor. Jerry Smith added 22 points, Lance Hurdle contributed 20 points and 5 assists, and Tre Whitted had 16 points for Springfield, for a total of four Armor players who scored in double figures.
The T-Birds, who have improved their record on the season to 20-27, have managed to keep their playoffs hopes alive with only three games to go in the regular season. New Mexico is currently two games back from the eighth and final playoff spot. They will be back in action tomorrow when they visit fellow playoff contender, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, at 4:00 p.m. in Fort Wayne.
The Thunderbirds will return home to play their final two games of the season at the Santa Ana Star Center against the Eastern Conference champs, the Iowa Energy, on April 1st for Hoops for Education Night and April 2nd for Dribble to Stop Diabetes and Fan Appreciation Night.
Thunderbirds' single and group game tickets are currently on sale 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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