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T-Birds End Flame's Win Streak In Low Scoring Affair

February 10, 2006 - NBA G League (G League)
Florida Flame News Release


ESTERO, Fla. - Playing with a depleted roster of only eight players, the Albuquerque Thunderbirds turned to their defense to earn a 72-65 victory over the Florida Flame in front of 2,002 fans on Friday night at Germain Arena.

Albuquerque scored 17 points off of 19 Florida turnovers and limited the Flame to season-lows in points (65), field goals (24), and field goal attempts (68). The Thunderbirds hit only one field goal in the final 15 minutes but still were able to hang on for the victory.

With the win, Albuquerque (16-13) snapped a two-game losing skid and closed to within three games of first place Florida in the NBA Development League standings. The loss ended the Flame's four-game winning streak and team-record eight-game home winning streak. Florida (20-11) now holds a one-and-a-half game lead over second place Fort Worth (17-11) in the D-League standings.

T.J. Cummings came off the bench for the Thunderbirds to lead all scorers and earn his second double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds, six of which were on the offensive end. Bracey Wright led the way for the Flame with 17 points on just 5-of-13 shooting from the field.

"There's no doubt, we've struggled in back-to-back game situations this year," said Florida Head Coach Jeff Malone. "You could tell tonight that Albuquerque was the aggressor and we were passive. The Thunderbirds made the right adjustments and we let them dictate the game."

Leading 44-33 at halftime, the Thunderbirds opened the third quarter with an 18-11 run that boosted the advantage to 62-44 with 1:34 left in the period following two free throws from Brandon Mason. Marcus Douthit hit for 10 points in the period to lead the way for Albuquerque and give the T-Birds a 62-46 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Flame made a game of it in the final stanza, as Wright and Andre Barrett combined for 13 points in a 14-0 run that brought Florida within four points, at 64-60 with 4:13 left. But the Thunderbirds capitalized on their defense following a steal and blocked shot from Tierre Brown. Ken Johnson's two free throws, Cummings' tip-in (Albuquerque's only field goal in the final 15 minutes), and three free throws from Brown in the final minute helped the T-Birds put the game out of reach and seal the win.

The Thunderbirds finished with four players in double figures. Along with Cummings' game-high 18 points, Brown posted 16 points, Douthit tallied 14 points, and Johnson scored 11 points in the victory.

Only two players scored in double figures for Florida. Along with Wright's team-high 17 points, Barrett tallied 14 points in the loss.

Florida returns to action on Friday, February 17 in the first of back-to-back games against the Roanoke Dazzle at the Roanoke Civic Center. Tip-off is 7 p.m. ET. Albuquerque rounds out its road swing at Fort Worth on Tuesday, February 14. Tip-off at the Fort Worth Convention Center is 7 p.m. CT/ 6 p.m. MT.

For additional information, please visit floridaflame.com or contact Florida Flame Director of Media Relations, Tim Becwar at (239) 561-8130 and tbecwar@floridaflame.com. For additional information on the NBA Development League please visit NBADLEAGUE.com.

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