Thunderbirds Defeat Arsenal, Stay Perfect at Home
December 8, 2006 - NBA G League (G League)
New Mexico Thunderbirds News Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., December 7, 2006 - The Albuquerque Thunderbirds stayed undefeated at home this season as they defeated the Anaheim Arsenal 102-88. The Thunderbirds were led by Dijon Thompson's 25 points on 8 of 14 shooting.
The Thunderbirds improve to 4-2 on the season; with the loss doping the Arsenal to 3-4. For the Arsenal, the loss ends a three game winning streak while the Thunderbirds win stops a two game skid. Anaheim was led by Jawad Williams who led all scorers with 27 points on 9 of 19 shooting.
Thompson's 25 points were aided by Tony Bland's game high 8 assists as well as Troy Bell's 25 points, 20 of which came in the second half.
The Thunderbirds jumped out to an early 31-18 lead in the first quarter. The Arsenal used a 14-1 run at the start of the second quarter to tie the game, and at the half the Thunderbirds lead had been trimmed down to five (45-40).
Out of the break the game went back and forth. Williams came out for the Arsenal with 11 points in the quarter, but at the end of three, Albuquerque had built their lead to 10. The Thunderbirds broke the game open four minutes into the fourth when Brandon Robinson threw down back to back dunks to ignite the crowd.
The next game for both teams will be on Friday evening right back at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, game time is set for 7:00pm. The first 1,000 fans will receive a special poster from Albuquerque the Magazine. Several lucky fans caught youth jerseys from Defined Fitness that will be given away on December 15th.
Thunderbirds tickets are y on sale and can be purchased at abqtbirds.com or at the Thunderbirds front office. For premium or group seating call the Thunderbirds office at (505) 265-DUNK.
The D-League continues to develop talent from across all disciplines for the NBA's 30 teams and the entire NBA umbrella. This season, 19 NBA teams assigned 29 players to D-League affiliates. There were also 18 GATORADE Call-Ups from the D-League to the NBA. Additionally, every referee hired by the NBA since 2002 has worked in the D-League, while coaches, athletic trainers and front office executives are also being developed.
The NBA D-League is composed of the Albuquerque Thunderbirds (N.M.), Anaheim Arsenal (Calif.), Arkansas RimRockers (Little Rock), Austin Toros (Texas), Bakersfield Jam (Calif.), Colorado 14ers (Broomfield), Dakota Wizards (Bismarck, N.D.), Fort Worth Flyers (Texas), Idaho Stampede (Boise), Los Angeles D-Fenders, Sioux Falls Skyforce (S.D.) and Tulsa 66ers (Okla.).
Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the league also offers fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. For additional information on the NBA Development League, visit NBADLEAGUE.com.
For additional information about the Albuquerque Thunderbirds call (505) 265-DUNK or log on to www.abqtbirds.com.
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NBA G League Stories from December 8, 2006
- Arsenal fall to Thunderbirds - Anaheim Arsenal
- Arkansas Hands Fort Worth First Loss - Arkansas RimRockers
- D-Fenders Lay New Asphalt Over 66ers - Los Angeles D-Fenders
- Mavericks Assign Mensah-Bonsu to Flyers - Fort Worth Flyers
- Grier allocated to Sioux Falls - Sioux Falls Skyforce
- Toros acquire Jay Williams - Austin Spurs
- Idaho acquires Tim Barnes - Idaho Stampede
- D-League daily developments - G League
- Thunderbirds Defeat Arsenal, Stay Perfect at Home - New Mexico Thunderbirds
- Arsenal Drops Second Straight on the Road - Anaheim Arsenal
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