NBA Development League: Thunderbirds Fall to Toros in Final Seconds
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Thunderbirds Fall to Toros in Final Seconds

Albuquerque, NM – Dec. 19 – The Albuquerque Thunderbirds (Tbirds) held the lead for most of the game, but lost in the final seconds to the Austin Toros 91-94.

The first half was very close, but ended with the Tbirds ahead 52-50. Leaders in the first half for the Toros were Malik Hairston with 12 points and 3 rebounds. David Noel, the leader for the Tbirds, had 19 points and 3 rebounds. The Toros had 23 rebounds to the Tbirds 16.

Both the first and second halves were started by Will Conroy hitting threes. Conroy is the NBA D-League point’s leader with an average of 24.6. Conroy continually provided leadership on the court working hard to keep the Tbirds centered.

At the end of the 3rd quarter, the Tbirds were ahead 77-72. However, the Toros continued to lead in total rebounds with 32, to the Tbirds’ 23.

Both teams fought hard in the fourth to take the lead. With the Toros winning in the final seconds 91-94. This was the third meeting of these teams this season. The Toros lead the Tbirds 3 games to 0.

The Tbirds’ next home game is Friday, December 26, 2008 at 7pm at Tingley Coliseum against the Idaho Stampede. Tickets start at only $5 and can be purchased by calling 505-268-DUNK (3865) or by going online to www.abqtirds.com.

The NBA Development League is the NBA's official minor league, and the first-ever basketball league with direct affiliations to NBA teams. Having recently completed its seventh season, the NBA D-League’s goals are to provide affordable, NBA-caliber entertainment to fans of its 16 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 15 percent of players on 2008 end-of-season NBA rosters spent time honing their skills in the League. In addition, it has produced current NBA coaches and 25 percent of the NBA’s referees. The NBA D-League is an innovative and rapidly growing sports property that also serves as an experimental testing ground for new initiatives like NBA Futurecast, the live web-streaming of all games available free at nba.com/futurecast. The League also 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.

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