SQUADRON UNABLE TO RECOVER FROM BOOM'S HOT SHOOTING START

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Birmingham Squadron, NBA G League affiliate of the New Orleans Pelicans, fell to the Noblesville Boom, 124-111, in the first of two games in Indiana on Friday Night.

Noblesville (9-6) got off to a hot start, opening the night with a 13-2 lead in just over four minutes. Birmingham cut the deficit to six midway through the first quarter; however, the Boom shot 7-of-9 from three-point range compared to the Squadron’s (5-14) 1-of-7 effort to take a 35-26 advantage.

The lights-out shooting continued for Noblesville in the second quarter, as the Boom converted 11-of-18 field goal attempts, including makes from beyond the arc on 10 attempts. The hosts extended their lead to 21 with 5:33 remaining in the first half and carried a 67-46 advantage into the break. 

Birmingham looked to cut into the Noblesville lead in the third quarter, but the Boom pieced together another 30-plus point quarter and never trailed by fewer than 16. The Squadron pulled within 13 with 4:19 to play in the fourth—their smallest margin since early in the second quarter. However, Birmingham’s momentum stalled, and Noblesville closed out the night with 18 three-pointers en route to a 124-111 victory.

In his return to his home state, Keion Brooks Jr. led the Squadron with a season-high 25 points on 8-of-15 shooting. The forward also recorded five rebounds, three steals, and two assists.

The Squadron will stay in Noblesville to face the Boom again on Sunday, Feb. 1 at 2 p.m. CT. The rematch will be available on My68 and NBAGLeague.com.

For more information on the Birmingham Squadron, please visit BirminghamSquadron.com or follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok.