Energy Hand Thunderbirds Fourth Straight Loss

Iowa 115, Albuquerque 108

Albuquerque, N.M., March 2 – The Iowa Energy used a balanced offense to beat the Albuquerque Thunderbirds, , 115-108, on Sunday night.

The loss was the fourth straight for the Thunderbirds.

Iowa had six players in double-figures. Daequan Cook led the Energy with 26 points. Doug Thomas and Jeff Horner each had a double-double for the Energy. Thomas posted 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Horner notched 13 points and 10 assists.

The Thunderbirds' Kevin Pittsnogle led all scorers with 27 points. Five other Albuquerque players scored 10 points or more. Julius Hodge 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.

The Thunderbirds took a 57-53 lead at 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 its road trip with a three-game swing through California. The Energy will face the Anaheim Arsenal on Wednesday, the Los Angeles D-Fenders on Friday, and the Bakersfield Jam on Sunday.

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