Albuquerque, N.M., January 23, 2008 – The Albuquerque Thunderbirds defeated the Rio Grande Valley Vipers 95 – 93 rallying from 15 points down late in the third quarter. The win snaps the Thunderbirds four game losing streak and extends the Vipers losing streak to four straight.

Desmon Farmer led all scorers in a losing effort with 30 on 8 of 21 shooting. Quin Humphrey was one of five Vipers who scored double digits, pitching in a double – double 15 points and 10 rebounds. Former UNM Lobo Kris Collins added 14 points off the bench for the Vipers.

Ali Berdiel led the Thunderbirds in his first game back from injuries with 26 points to go along with 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Four other Thunderbirds scored in double digits including Elijah Ingram who scored 18 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists.

Farmer led all scorers in the first quarter pitching in 10 of the Vipers 23 first quarter points. Josh Gross added 9 points for the Thunderbirds on 4 of 6 shooting in the quarter. After one quarter of play both teams were deadlocked at 23 – 23.

Rio Grande Valley opened the second quarter with a 9 – 4 run vaulting them into the lead. The Vipers went 7 for 7 from the free throw line in the quarter and used a late 12 – 2 run to help them to a 54 – 43 half time lead.

The Vipers jumped out to a 15 point lead in the third quarter. The Thunderbirds rallied after the ejection of Head Coach Jeff Ruland with just three minutes remaining in the quarter. Albuquerque closed the quarter on an 11 – 2 run to close to 71 – 75 after three.

Both teams struggled to gain an advantage in the fourth quarter until Daniel Horton hit a jumper in the lane with 18.5 seconds remaining, giving the Thunderbirds the lead for good.

Both teams get back to action against one another Friday, January 25th at Tingley Coliseum; game time is set for 7:00 pm. Friday will be “Faith and Family Night” group tickets are available for any interested congregations and their families.

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 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