Albuquerque, N.M., March 2, 2008 – The Iowa Energy handed the Albuquerque Thunderbirds their fourth straight loss defeating them 115 – 108. Kevin Pittsnogle led all scorers with 27 points in a losing effort for the Thunderbirds.

Iowa had six players score double digits including Daequan Cook who led the Energy with 26 points on 10 of 23 shooting. Doug Thomas and Jeff Horner each had double-doubles for the Energy; Thomas; 16 points and 14 rebounds, Horner; 13 points and 10 assists.

Albuquerque had six players score over 10 points including Julius Hodge who scored 19 points in his first game back with the Thunderbirds. Jamaal Thomas added 12 points to go along with a team high 9 rebounds; Dwight Brewington had 16 points off the bench.

Iowa opened the game with a 9 – 4 run before cooling off the remainder of the first quarter. Albuquerque shot 57 percent from the field in the first quarter helping them to a 29 – 28 lead after one.

Pittsnogle led all scorers in the second quarter with 9 points including 5 for 5 on free throws. Thomas and Cook had 8 and 7 points respectively for the Energy in the second quarter. The Thunderbirds took a 57 – 53 lead into the half.

Iowa took the lead out of the break with a 14 – 2 run early in the third quarter. Albuquerque answered with a late 9 – 1 run to regain the lead after three quarters, 81 – 79.

Iowa continues their road trip with a three game swing through California. Wednesday, March 5th against the Anaheim Arsenal, Friday, March 7th at the Los Angeles Defenders and Sunday, March 9th against the Bakersfield Jam.

Albuquerque hits the road Friday, March 7th to take on the Tulsa 66ers at Expo Square Pavilion. The Thunderbirds return home Saturday, March 8th to take on the Austin Toros; game time is set for 7:00 pm at Tingley Coliseum.

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