Albuquerque, N.M., February 29, 2008 – The Colorado 14ers extended their winning streak to seven, by defeating the Albuquerque Thunderbirds 122 – 109. Eddie Gill led all scorers with 31 points to go along with a game high 7 assists for Colorado.

The loss is the third straight for the Thunderbirds and eighth straight against the 14ers dating back to last season. Josh gross led four Albuquerque players in double digits with 28 points and 7 rebounds. Daryl Dorsey added 22 points to go along with Kevin Pittsnogle’s 16 points; Dwight Brewington pitched in 23 points off the bench.

Four 14ers scored in double figures including Roderick Riley’s double – double 18 points and a game high 14 rebounds. Colorado’s size advantage was obvious throughout, outrebounding Albuquerque 66 to 35 in route to the victory.

Albuquerque started the game on a 10 – 4 run led by Pittsnogle’s 11 points in the first quarter. Colorado closed the first quarter on a 6 – 0 run helping them to a 30 – 25 lead after one.

Riley had 11 points and 6 rebounds for Colorado in an even paced second quarter. Gross had 11 points for the Thunderbirds in the quarter, helping to keep Albuquerque close at the half, 54 – 60.

Colorado outscored Albuquerque 31 – 22 in the third quarter pushing their lead to 91 – 76 after three quarters. The story of the quarter was the ejection of Albuquerque’s Pittsnogle and Colorado’s Elton Brown; both players were ejected after receiving double technical fouls.

Colorado returns home to take on the Tulsa 66ers, Saturday, March 1st from the Broomfield events center in Broomfield, CO; game time is set for 7:00 pm.

The Thunderbirds get back to action Sunday, March 2nd, at home against the Iowa Energy. Game time is set for 7:00 pm from Tingley Coliseum. Newly acquired guard Julius Hodge, a member of the 2006-07 Thunderbirds was in attendance but did not suit up. He is expected to play Sunday against the Iowa Energy wearing jersey number 17.

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.

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 like the live web-streaming of all games available free to fans at d-league.com. 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.

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