July 17, 2007

Salt Lake City, Utah - Former University of Missouri standout Thomas Gardner led the Chicago Bulls with 18 points in an 88-77 loss to Philadelphia in the opening day of competition at the Rocky Mountain Revue in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Monday evening.

The 18 points were a summer league high for Gardner, who also earned his first start of the summer for the Bulls. The Portland, Ore., native hit 8-of-16 shots and was an impressive 8-of-11 inside the arc in the 10-point defeat. Gardner also added five boards, an assist and a steal for Chicago, who fell to 0-1 in Utah.

The 18-point outburst marked the third time in four games that Gardner has reached double figures in scoring for Chicago. Gardner averaged 9.2 points in the Orlando Summer League, highlighted by a pair of 12-point outings against Miami and New Jersey.

Chicago returns to action on Tuesday against Atlanta. Game time is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. locally in Salt Lake City.