Poor Shooting Down the Stretch Grounds T-Birds in Utah
February 19, 2010 - NBA G League (G League)
New Mexico Thunderbirds News Release
ALBUQUERQUE, NM - The Albuquerque Thunderbirds went ice cold down the stretch as they fell to the Utah Flash, 98-93, on Friday night. Keith McLeod led the way for Albuquerque with 23 points in his first game back from injury.
Albuquerque opened the game on a 7-0 run, and led by as many as 13 in the first quarter. Seven different T-Birds players scored in the opening period as the team took a 29-21 lead at end of one.
Albuquerque led 50-47 at the break, with Carlos Powell (14) and Keith McLeod (12) combining to score 26 first half points.
The T-Birds opened the second half much like they did the first, and led by 11 just two minutes into the third quarter. Utah, however, outscored Albuquerque 29-12 to close out the period and held a six point lead going into the fourth.
Albuquerque took an 82-81 lead after a layup from Jason Horton with 7:10 to play, giving the team its first lead in nearly 10 minutes. The two teams traded baskets over the next four minutes, and the game was tied at 89 with 2:59 to play.
Albuquerque failed to score on its next five possessions, and Utah led 95-89 with 30 seconds remaining. McLeod connected on a deep three to cut the lead to three with 16 seconds to play, but that was as close as the T-Birds would get as the Flash held on for the five point win.
Carlos Powell scored 22 points and grabbed 8 rebounds for Albuquerque. Shane Edwards added 17 points and Sasha Cuic scored 10 in his T-Birds debut.
Utah's Orien Greene led all scorers with 24 points.
The game featured nine ties and nine lead changes. Both teams struggled from the free throw line throughout the game, with Albuquerque shooting just 65.9% from the stripe.
Albuquerque will be in action again on Sunday when the team takes on the Los Angeles D-Fenders. The game will begin at 6 pm, and fans can listen live on 610 The Sports Animal.
The T-Birds will return home on Feb. 25 with the second Thirsty Thursday night of the season. Fans can enjoy $2.50 beers and $5 margaritas in addition to $5 box seats during the team's game against the Idaho Stampede. Call 505-265-3865 for more information.
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