WINDY CITY ENDS 2017 WITH 123-104 LOSS TO RAPTORS 905 ON SATURDAY

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – The Windy City Bulls, presented by BMO Harris Bank, the NBA G League affiliate of the Chicago Bulls, fell 123-104 to the Raptors 905 on Saturday afternoon at Hershey Arena in Ontario, Canada.

Antonio Blakeney led all scorers with a game-high 27 points and six assists and Brandon Wood, who started in place of Ryan Arcidiacono, who sat out the contest, poured in 22 points and added five assists. Mychal Mulder and Tyler Harris scored 14 points apiece and Jaylen Johnson recorded his sixth consecutive double-figure scoring game with 13 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots.

Offense was scarce to begin the game as Windy City managed to make three field goals in the first five minutes. The Bulls led 8-5, but that’s the last time they found themselves on top as the 905 rattled off 11 consecutive points as part of a 13-2 run to take an eight-point lead. Despite pulling to within three on a couple occasions, the Bulls couldn’t draw closer as they shot 36 percent from the floor and 12 percent from the three-point line. The Raptors scored six of the final eight points in the period and led 26-19 at the end of the first.

Balance was the theme for the 905 as eight players tallied double figures led by Bruno Caboclo who scored a team-high 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Lorenzo Brown and Davion Berry each had 14 with Brown adding 10 assists to record a double-double. Kennedy Meeks posted a 13-point, eight-rebound performance, while Alfonzo McKinnie, the former Windy City star who was on assignment from the Toronto Raptors, pitched in with 11.

The 905 raced out to a 13-point advantage in the second quarter. Windy City responded as Mychal Mulder scored back-to-back baskets to cut the lead to single digits late in the period, but the 905 responded in kind. The Bulls offense woke up to the tune of 29 points on 60 percent shooting. Windy City, however, didn’t close the gap as the Raptors scored 29 points of their own and took a seven-point lead into halftime.

After trading baskets to begin the third, the 905 reopened a 13-point led aided by back-to-back three-point baskets by Caboclo and Brown. The Raptors had their best quarter to date scoring 43 points, shooting 77 percent from the floor and connecting on 14 of their 18 shots from the field. Contributions were plentiful as all 10 players who saw action in the third quarter, scored for the 905. Antonio Blakeney and Tyler Harris combined for 16 points in the period, but Windy City found themselves trailing by 25 heading into the third quarter.

The fourth quarter was status quo as the Bulls couldn’t gather momentum to begin the final 12 minutes. The 905 grabbed their largest lead of the night at 32 on a driving layup by Berry. Following the basket, the Bulls went on a 16-5 run and would eventually trim the deficit to 19, but it wasn’t enough as the 905 escaped with their fifth consecutive win.

Saturday’s 19-point margin of defeat is the largest of the season for Windy City and the worst since Dec. 14, 2016, when they lost by 30 to the Grand Rapids. The Bulls are 0-2 against the 905 this season with one head-to-head matchup remaining. Windy City has five days off before concluding their three-game road trip on Jan. 5 against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

Fans can stay up-to-date on team news by following the team on Twitter (@WindyCityBulls) or visiting (WindyCityBulls.com). Full season membership, group, and single tickets for the 2017-18 Windy City Bulls season are on sale now. For all ticket information and full season schedule, visit WindyCityBulls.com.