April 12, 2008

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., April 12 – The Albuquerque Thunderbirds closed out their 2007-08 season at Tingley Coliseum on a bittersweet note; a record 5,347 screaming fans witnessed the Thunderbirds fall 116-109 to the playoff-bound Colorado 14ers.

Will Conroy scored 21 of his game-high 32 points in the fourth quarter, helping Albuquerque slice a 20-point deficit to 4 with 1:13 remaining. The Thunderbirds could get no closer as Colorado completed its season sweep of Albuquerque.

With the NBA D-League playoffs closing in, the 14ers elected to sit their starters the entire second half, giving their bench a chance to shine. Damien Lolar paced Colorado with 31 points and three other reserves scored in double digits.

The ejection of Thunderbirds head coach Jeff Ruland midway through the third quarter seemed to ignite Albuquerque’s late run; the T-Birds trimmed a 26-point Colorado lead in the period to 17, setting up Conroy’s valiant fourth-quarter effort.

The 14ers dominated the first three quarters of play, and never trailed. A seven-point first-quarter lead turned into 10 as Albuquerque struggled to keep pace.

Colorado outrebounded the Thunderbirds 53-39, led by Justin Cage who had 12 boards along with 19 points.

Ramon Dyer finished with 22 points and nine rebounds for the T-Birds.

14ers standouts Kaniel Dickens and Eddie Gill played a combined 19 minutes and 48 seconds on the night.