WISCONSIN BEATS WINDY CITY 100-92 FRIDAY NIGHT IN MILWAUKEE

[caption id="attachment_2482" align="aligncenter" width="650"] Photo by Jeffrey Phelps/NBAE via Getty Images[/caption]

The Windy City Bulls, presented by BMO Harris Bank, the NBA G League affiliate of the Chicago Bulls, came up short Friday night and fell 100-92 to the Wisconsin Herd in a game played at the BMO Harris Bank Bradley Center in Milwaukee.

Four Bulls scored in double figures led by Jon Octeus who paced Windy City with a career-high 26 points (8-9 FG, 7-7 FT), six rebounds and two assists. Ryan Arcidiacono tallied 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Tyler Harris scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds and Diamond Stone pitched-in with 13 points, 11 of which came in the first half.

The Bulls grabbed an early advantage jumping out to a 12-3 lead to begin the game. Despite the early success, Windy City would hold a one-point lead at the end of the first quarter as the Herd were the beneficiaries of several miscues. Nine of the Bulls season-high 25 turnovers came in the first 12 minutes. The 25 giveaways would lead to 30 Herd points, which also set a season-high. Conversely, Wisconsin turned it over 19 times for 13 Windy City points.

The Herd’s offense featured three double-figure scorers led by former Kentucky product, James Young, who poured in a game-high 29 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Sterling Brown added 25 points on 10-of-18 shooting and Brian Williams tallied 12 points and eight rebounds. Collectively, the Herd shot 39 percent from distance and were +15 at the free throw line, making 25 of their 32 attempts.

The Herd turned that one-point first quarter deficit into a five-point lead with a 13-7 run to begin the second quarter. They would open a sizeable lead complemented by Young, who scored 11 of his 14 first-half points in the second period. The Herd would take an 11-point lead into halftime after outscoring Windy City 37-25 in the quarter.

The Herd picked up where they left off in the second half with a 10-4 run to open the largest lead of the evening, 67-50 and the 17-point deficit also represented the largest of the season for Windy City. However, the Bulls would make their move to get back in the ballgame. Octeus would lead the charge scoring 13 points in the quarter. The Bulls would chop seven points off that total and found themselves down by 10 heading into the final 12 minutes.

Windy City’s momentum would carry over to the fourth quarter to the tune of a 10-4 run, which cut the lead to four, 81-77. The Bulls would get even closer and trail by the slimmest of margins, 91-90 on a Harris layup with just over four minutes to play. However, that is as close as they would get. Moments after the basket, Octeus would fall hard to the floor injuring his ankle and forcing him to exit the game on a stretcher after several minutes of medical attention.

Wisconsin took control for the final four minutes and would not look back. The Herd ended the game on a 9-2 sprint capped by Young who drained a key three-point shot with 39 seconds remaining to give the Herd the eight-point advantage and the win in their first home game of the season.

The loss drops the Bulls to 1-1 on the current five-game road trip. The Bulls will enjoy a couple days off before continuing their road trip against the Erie Bayhawks on Tuesday. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. CT.

Fans can stay up-to-date on team news by following the team on Twitter (@WindyCityBulls) or visiting (windycity.gleague.nba.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.