FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12/29/19
The Windy City Bulls, presented by BMO Harris Bank, the official G League affiliate of the Chicago Bulls, fell two points short of the Capital City Go-Go on Sunday night, 117-115.
It was a battle of evenly matched teams as the Bulls and Go-Go entered the contest with similar records on the season to go along with similar numbers in both points-per-game and field goal percentage.
Windy City entered the game with an 9-8 record, averaging 108.9 points per game and shooting .448 as a team. Capital City entered at 8-9, averaging 110.4 points per game and shooting .451 overall.
The early going reflected these similarities as the two squads traded the lead a total of eleven times in the first half.
Both sides executed their offense well in the opening two quarters, with Windy City assisting on 14-of-23 made baskets on their way to shooting .511 from the floor and .471 from three-point range. Capital City assisted on 11-of-21 made baskets, shooting .457 overall and .400 from three.
Milton Doyle’s 12 points, five assists and Justin Simon’s ten points, five rebounds led a balanced attack for the Bulls, closing out the half with a late 9-0 run to grab a 57-52 lead heading into the break.
Michael Cobbins was a presence in the paint throughout the game for the Go-Go. The Capital City forward led his team in both points and rebounds over the first 24 minutes, notching 16 and 7 respectively.
With the Bulls limited depth at the center position, Cobbins continued to dominate down low, dropping in 12 points for the Go-Go in the third quarter to end out with 28 points and 11 rebounds leading into the final frame.
Capital City used those points-in-the-paint to go on a 13-4 run coming out of the break to take a 69-68 lead. The Go-Go extended that lead to as many as ten, but Windy City rallied back behind P.J. Dozier’s 22 second half points to cut the lead to just two, 108-106 with 4:35 remaining.
A travelling call on former Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Chicago Bulls player Jerian Grant gave the ball to Windy City with the shot clock off and an opportunity to tie or win the game. Justin Simon dropped in a put back lay-up to knot the score at 115 with 10.2 seconds left.
Out of a Capital City time-out, Grant hit a baseline jumper to give the Go-Go the win at home as a turn-around three by Simon at the buzzer fell short.
Cobbins ended with 30 points and 17 rebounds on 13-for-17 shooting for the Go-Go. Washington Wizards Assignment players Justin Robinson and Admiral Schofield were key contributors to the Capital City victory as well.
Robinson found open shots for himself and teammates, finishing with 22 points and six assists (19 of those points coming in the second half). Schofield contributed 19 points and seven rebounds.
Dozier had a triple-double for the Bulls, finishing the game with 27 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists. Simon ended with 18 points, nine rebounds and four steals on 8-for-15 shooting.
Windy City (9-9) returns home to host the Greensboro Swarm on January 1 at 5 p.m. The game will be the first of a five game home stand.