T-Birds Rally Comes up Short
December 28, 2010 - NBA G League (G League)
New Mexico Thunderbirds News Release
Bakersfield, CA - Despite Abdulai Jalluh hitting a layup with 4.7 seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime, the New Mexico Thunderbirds (7-6) fell to the Bakersfield Jam (8-6) by a score of 111-104 on Tuesday night.
In the first quarter, Bakersfield jumped to an early 19-7 lead. Luke Zeller had eight points during the fast start for the Jam. The Thunderbirds closed the first quarter on an 18-8 run to close within two points after one quarter.
Stephen McDowell scored 13 second quarter points for the Thunderbirds, but the Jam extended their lead to 55-49 at the half.
In the third quarter, a Trey Johnson layup capped a 9-2 Jam run that gave them a 70-61 lead after the T-Birds had closed within two points. The Thunderbirds answered with a 10-2 run of their own to make it a one point game. They would trail 77-73 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Jam led by as many as nine points in the fourth quarter, but the Thunderbirds went on a 12-2 run to take their first lead of the game at 92-91. After some back and forth action, Dominique Coleman hit a three-pointer with 1:05 left to give the Thunderbirds a two-point lead. Trey Johnson then answered for Bakersfield with a jumper that tied up the game with 49.8 seconds remaining. After the T-Birds failed to score, Stephen Dennis hit two free throws that put Bakersfield up by two points with 15.5 seconds left. Jalloh, playing in his first game as a Thunderbird, then hit the layup to send the game into overtime.
In overtime, the Jam scored the first eight points to take a 109-101 lead and went on to the seven point victory.
The Thunderbirds will wrap up the month on Dec. 31 with "Hoopin' and Hollerin' New Years Eve", featuring a special performance by actor and comedian, Steven Michael Quezada.
Thunderbirds' season tickets are currently on sale, with full and partial season packages available. Single game tickets are also now available online 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.
The New Mexico Thunderbirds are the NBA Development League affiliate of the NBA's New Orleans Hornets and Orlando Magic. The NBA Development League, founded in 2001, is the NBA's official minor league whose teams have direct affiliations to NBA franchises. For the 2010-11 season, the league will feature 16 teams - including the debut of the Texas Legends. A proven developer of talent, 20 percent of players in the NBA at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season boasted NBA D-League experience, while the league continues to develop coaches, referees, and front-office staff for the NBA and its teams. In fostering the league's connection to the community, its teams, players and staff promote health and wellness, support local needs and interests, and assist in educational development through NBA D-League Cares programs. The NBA D-League also advances the game of basketball as the research and development arm of the NBA. Throughout the season fans can watch all NBA D-League games on NBA Futurecast, the free live Web-streaming initiative found at nba.com/futurecast.
NBA G League Stories from December 28, 2010
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