Thunderbirds Soar to Third Straight Victory
February 14, 2007 - NBA G League (G League)
New Mexico Thunderbirds News Release
Albuquerque, N.M., February 13, 2007, -- Cedric Bozeman registered his second triple-double of the season, 10 rebounds, 13 assists and 14 points, as the Albuquerque Thunderbirds trounced the Arkansas RimRockers 135-94 Tuesday night. Dijon Thompson led all scorers with 24 points on an impressive 11-11 shooting. The win extends the Thunderbirds win streak to three games and snaps the RimRockers' own two game winning streak.
Albuquerque had seven players in double digits. Tony Bland pitched in 21 points and Brandon Robinson had 16 for the T-Birds, 10 of which came in the fourth quarter by the way of dunks. Chris Shumate and Duane Erwin combined for 34 points off the bench. Shumate's 15 was his first double-digit scoring effort of the season.
Roger Powell led the RimRockers with 23 points on 8-13 shooting, Brian Jackson had 17 points and Clay Tucker and Marcus Campbell scored 11 each in a losing effort.
It didn't take Albuquerque long to figure out the RimRockers full court trap. Early in the first quarter the Thunderbirds started looking inside to Andreas Glyniadakis, who scored 13 of his 19 points in the quarter. Arkansas used their team speed to keep pace and trailed by only five at the end of the quarter, 31-26.
The Thunderbirds shot 57% from the field in the second quarter and out-rebounded the RimRockers 16-6 in the quarter, pushing their lead to 65-49 at the half.
Arkansas's woes continued into the second half when they were called for two technical fouls in the first 40 seconds of the third quarter. The first technical was called on Brandon Dean and RimRockers coach Andy Stoglin followed suit earning his team their second technical foul just 10 seconds later. The Thunderbirds took full advantage stretching their lead to 29 after three quarters, 101-72.
With the Thunderbirds leading by over 30 points in the fourth quarter, a frustrated RimRockers squad reverted to fouling. The two teams combined for 14 personal fouls in the quarter as Albuquerque outscored Arkansas 34 to 22.
The RimRockers return home to host the Idaho Stampede for two games, this Thursday and Friday, February 15th and 16th.
Albuquerque will have a 10-day layoff for the 2007 Gillette NBA D-League All-Star Game in association with 24 Fitness before returning to action February 23rd & 24th against the Colorado 14ers in Broomfield, CO.
The NBA D-League includes 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.). Expansion teams have already been awarded to Oren, Utah and the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas for the 2007-08 season.
The D-League continues to develop talent from across all disciplines' for the NBA's 30 teams and the entire NBA umbrella. Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the D-League also offers fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. For additional information on the NBA Development League, visit NBADLEAGUE.com.
For information on premium seating and general information about the Albuquerque Thunderbirds call (505) 265-DUNK or log on to www.abqtbirds.com.
NBA G League Stories from February 14, 2007
- Arsenal Acquires Jamaal Willliams - Anaheim Arsenal
- Four D-League Teams Make Roster Moves - G League
- Thunderbirds coach to participate in Haier Shooting Stars competition - New Mexico Thunderbirds
- Quemont Greer Gets All-Star Nod - Dakota Wizards
- Schenscher Named As Replacement In D-League All-Star Game - Fort Worth Flyers
- 14ers Rickert Added to All-Star Team - Colorado 14ers
- D-League daily developments - G League
- Schenscher, Greer and Rickert Named as All-Star Replacements - G League
- Thunderbirds Soar to Third Straight Victory - New Mexico Thunderbirds
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