Albuquerque, N.M., January 26, 2008 – The Sioux Falls Skyforce got a tip basket from Chris Alexander with 3.2 seconds remaining giving them a 103 – 102 victory over the Albuquerque Thunderbirds. Josh Gross had a game high 23 points and teammate Daniel Horton scored 19 for Albuquerque.

The tip by Alexander, who had an impressive outing with 17 points and 17 rebounds, saved the Skyforce from an amazing comeback by the Thunderbirds, who managed to outscore Sioux Falls 10 – 2 in the final two minutes of the game. A three point make by Horton with just 24 seconds remaining in the game gave Albuquerque their first lead, 103 – 102, since the opening basket of the game.

The Thunderbirds played the entire game from behind; overcoming double digit deficits only to have them balloon back up again. At one point in the fourth quarter, the Skyforce led by 13 points.

It was a physical game from the opening tip for both teams—Albuquerque committed 27 fouls compared to 21 by Sioux Falls. Two missed free throws by Darvin Ham with 9.7 seconds left in the game left the door open for the Skyforce.

Six different Thunderbirds players reached double figures in scoring compared to five Skyforce players. Kasib Powell led Sioux Falls with 18 points and three players including Alexander added 17 apiece.

The Skyforce held their largest lead of the game, 14 points, midway through the second quarter. Albuquerque managed to keep it within striking distance and stole momentum going into halftime with a 3 pointer by Elijah Ingram and buzzer beating bucket by Ham which cut the Sky Force lead to 57 – 52.

The Albuquerque Thunderbirds get back to action against the Dakota Wizards on Friday, February 1st at Tingley Coliseum; game time is set for 7:00 pm. The game will be themed “Public Safety Night” and feature a basketball game between firefighters and police officers following the Thunderbirds game.

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 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