Thunderbirds Squeak Past Mad Ants 89 - 87
Published on January 5, 2008 under NBA G League (G League)
New Mexico Thunderbirds News Release
Albuquerque, N.M. - The Albuquerque Thunderbirds pulled off a nail biter defeating the Fort Wayne Mad Ants 89 - 87 on affiliate night. D.J. Strawberry led all scorers with 39 points for the Thunderbirds on 14 for 24 shooting.
Sammy Mejia recorded a double - double in a losing effort for the Mad Ants, 27 points and 11 rebounds. Three other Mad Ants scored in double figures including Corey Minnifield's 23 points and 8 rebounds.
For the Thunderbirds Josh Gross pitched in 17 points to go along with Ramon Dyer's 11 points. Strawberry also recorded team highs with 7 rebounds and 6 assists.
Strawberry got started early in the first quarter with 13 points on 5 for 7 shooting. The Thunderbirds ended the quarter on a 5 - 0 run to pull even with the Mad Ants 23 - 23.
Russell had 10 points in the second quarter for the Mad Ants helping to keep the score tight. Fort Wayne was able to put together a 10 - 1 run over the last two minutes of the second quarter to take a 46 - 40 lead into the break.
Albuquerque opened the third quarter with an 8 - 3 run pulling them within one. Both teams struggled to gain an advantage the remainder of the quarter and after three the Mad Ants led 64 - 63.
Strawberry had 16 points in the fourth quarter including two key free throws with 20 seconds left to put the Thunderbirds up by three. Both teams fought back and forth all quarter, Albuquerque finally secured a lead when Gross hit a three point shot with just over a minute remaining.
The Thunderbirds hit the road for their next four games starting Wednesday, January 10th against the Austin Toros, before returning home to take on the Tulsa 66ers, Wednesday, January 23rd. Game time is set for 10:30 a.m. it will be the first of two school house jam games for the Thunderbirds.
Fort Wayne continues its road trip next Tuesday, January 8th at Colorado before heading to Utah to take on the Flash, January 11th.
Thunderbirds 2007-08 single game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at abqtbirds.com, any Ticketmaster location 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 over 3,000 hours in the community, staying dedicated to Albuquerque and New Mexico.
NBA G League Stories from January 5, 2008
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