ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., November 24, 2006 – Marcus Douthit scored 24 points and grabbed 6 rebounds to lead the Albuquerque Thunderbirds to a 101-77 victory over the Austin Toros on the opening night of the 2006 NBA Development League season.

The victory is the first of the season for the defending NBA Development League champion Albuquerque Thunderbirds. The Austin Toros go back home to take on the Fort Worth Flyers who were the runner-ups to the champion Thunderbirds.

With the Thunderbirds starting the game on a 12-0 run in the first quarter, the Toros were unable to make a run, and did not get within three points the entire game. Although the Toros lost by 24 points, the upside was their leading scorer Jamar Smith who had 20 points.

Tonight’s game was filled with plenty of action. Overall there were a total of 52 fouls, each team having more than 25.

With the Toros cutting the Thunderbirds lead to three points, the Toros couldn’t seem to make a shot. The Thunderbirds took a commanding 74-65 lead at the end of the 3rd quarter.

With the Thunderbirds leading Austin 83-68, play was suspended with 7:32 left to play in the fourth quarter when a light suspended from the rafters fell below onto the Thunderbirds broadcasting booth spilling glass onto the court.

After the glass was cleaned up, the Toros showed little life as the Thunderbirds increased their lead to 24 points with 1:25 left to play. The final score was 101-77.

The Toros look for their first victory tomorrow against the Fort Worth Flyers at home in Austin. The Albuquerque Thunderbirds play host to the Anaheim Arsenal at Tingley Coliseum in Albuquerque, N.M., at 7 pm.

Thunderbirds 2006–07 season tickets are already on sale and can be purchased at abqtbirds.com or at the Thunderbirds Front Office. For premium or group seating call the Thunderbirds office at (505) 265-DUNK.

The D-League continues to develop talent from across all disciplines for the NBA’s 30 teams and the entire NBA umbrella. This season, 19 NBA teams assigned 29 players to D-League affiliates. There were also 18 GATORADE Call-Ups from the D-League to the NBA. Additionally, every referee hired by the NBA since 2002 has worked in the D-League, while coaches, athletic trainers and front office executives are also being developed.

The NBA D-League is composed of the Albuquerque Thunderbirds (N.M.), Anaheim Arsenal (Calif.), Arkansas RimRockers (Little Rock), Austin Toros (Texas), Bakersfield Jam (Calif.), Colorado 14ers (Broomfield), Dakota Wizards (Bismarck, N.D.), Fort Worth Flyers (Texas), Idaho Stampede (Boise), Los Angeles D-Fenders, Sioux Falls Skyforce (S.D.) and Tulsa 66ers (Okla.).

Designed to help grow the sport of basketball both domestically and internationally, the league also offers fun, family entertainment at affordable prices. For additional information on the NBA Development League, visit NBADLEAGUE.com.

For additional information about the Albuquerque Thunderbirds call (505) 265-DUNK or log on to www.abqtbirds.com.