Thunderbirds Defeat Stampede 94 - 92 in Home Opener
November 24, 2007 - NBA G League (G League)
New Mexico Thunderbirds News Release
Albuquerque, N.M., November 23, 2007 - The Albuquerque Thunderbirds defeated the Idaho Stampede 94 - 92 in their first game of the 2007 - 2008 season. The win also ushered in the Jeff Ruland era as the Thunderbirds new head coach. Lance Allred led all scorers in a losing effort for the Stampede with 30 points and 9 rebounds.
The Thunderbirds were led in scoring by Daniel Horton who had 24 points, with 16 in the 4th quarter. Albuquerque had three other scorers in double digits, Josh Gross with 20 to go along with 8 rebounds, Darvin Ham had 14 points and Ali Berdiel pitched in 10 points off the bench.
"It was a great way for us to open the season with a win like this," Coach Ruland said, "but we still have a lot of work to do, I'm just glad to have this win."
The game also marked the beginning of the Thunderbirds career for two New Mexico locals, Serge Angounou and Elijah Ingram. Serge, a graduate of Rio Grande High School, had 7 points and former Aggie Ingram pitched in 5 points for the Thunderbirds.
Abdul Mills took the opening tip off and laid it in for the Thunderbirds first points of the 2007 - 2008 season. Albuquerque built off its early two point advantage by shooting over 50 % from the floor in the first quarter, including 3 for 3 from three point range. Idaho managed to keep it close by hitting all seven first quarter free throws. The score after one was Thunderbirds 26, Stampede 19.
Allred led all scorers in the second quarter scoring 10 of Idaho 26 second quarter points. The Stampede held the Thunderbirds to 33 percent shooting in the quarter while they shot 50 percent from the floor to take a 45 - 40 halftime lead.
Despite Idaho's 60 percent shooting average in the third quarter Albuquerque still managed to outscore them 26 - 23, bringing the score after 3 quarters to; Idaho 68, Albuquerque 66. The real story of the quarter though was the ejection of Idaho's Marcus Campbell, with just over 4 minutes left in the quarter Campbell elbowed the Thunderbirds James Smith in the back of the head drawing an immediate ejection.
The Thunderbirds hit the road for their next three games at Indiana, Iowa and Idaho before returning home to take on the Colorado 14ers on December 7th and 8th. Both game times are set for 7:00pm at Tingley Coliseum. All Thunderbirds games can be heard on KBZU 96.3 "The Buzz" FM. Idaho continues their three game road trip at Colorado on Saturday, November 24th.
Thunderbirds 2007-08 season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at abqtbirds.com or at the Thunderbirds front office at 111 Lomas Blvd. NE, Suite 240, Albuquerque, NM 87102. For premium or group seating call the Thunderbirds office at (505) 265-DUNK.
The Thunderbirds stay focused on the community by participating in community events such as the Read to Achieve Program as well as D-League Cares. In the past two seasons the Thunderbirds have worked almost 3,000 hours in the community, staying dedicated to Albuquerque and New Mexico.
The NBA Development League is the NBA's official minor league, and the first-ever basketball league with direct affiliations to NBA teams. Now in its seventh season the D-League's goals are to provide affordable, NBA-caliber entertainment to fans of its 14 teams, as well as continue to develop players, coaches, referees and front-office personnel for the NBA. As the single source for in-season player "call-ups" to the NBA, fans of the D-League enjoy the highest caliber of basketball played outside the NBA. In fact, former D-League players represented 10 percent of NBA players on 2007-08 opening day rosters, numbering 44 in total. In addition, the D-League has produced 25 percent of current NBA referees and 16 current NBA coaches, including head coach Sam Vincent with the Charlotte Bobcats. The D-League is an innovative and rapidly growing sports property that also serves as an experimental testing ground for new initiatives of the NBA and its teams, provides continuing education and professional development resources for its players, and is committed to serving its local communities through D-LEAGUE CARES and grassroots efforts.
Individually, the Thunderbirds have had two player call-ups, two front office call-ups, two training staff call-ups and three call-ups from the Storm Chasers Dance and Cheer squad.
Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the D-League offers NBA-quality basketball and fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. For additional information on the NBA Development League, visit NBADLEAGUE.com.
NBA G League Stories from November 24, 2007
- 66ers' late comeback spoils Skyforce opener - Sioux Falls Skyforce
- Pruitt Lifts Flash to First win in Franchis History - Utah Flash
- Wizards Come Up Short Again At Home - Dakota Wizards
- Idaho Outshoots Colorado for First Win - Idaho Stampede
- Langford's steal puts away Jam in last seconds - Austin Spurs
- D-League Daily Developments - G League
- Thunderbirds Defeat Stampede 94 - 92 in Home Opener - New Mexico Thunderbirds
- Mad Ants drop opener - Indiana Mad Ants
- Vipers Slither Past Toros - Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- 14ers Top Arsenal with Big Second Half - Colorado 14ers
- Defending Champs Fall Short In Home Opener - Dakota Wizards
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