WINDY CITY DROPS FIFTH STRAIGHT, LOSE 110-92 TO HUSTLE

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Wednesday, November 14, 2018

WINDY CITY DROPS FIFTH STRAIGHT, LOSE 110-92 TO HUSTLE

The Windy City Bulls, presented by BMO Harris Bank, the NBA G League affiliate of the Chicago Bulls, extended their losing streak to five with a 110-92 loss to the Memphis Hustle on Wednesday night at Landers Center.

For the second consecutive game, Windy City was without the services of Tyler Ulis, who didn’t suit up due to injury. CJ Fair tallied his first double-double of the season and posted 16 points, 11 rebounds and career-high seven assists. Three players scored 14 points, including JaKarr Sampson who made his Windy City debut. Ferrakohn Hall had 13 points, two rebounds and five assists, while V.J. Beachem added 10 points and five rebounds. Rawle Alkins, the Bulls second Two-Way player, pitched in with seven points, five rebounds and five assists in a reserve role.

The Hustle’s Two-Way players, D.J. Stephens and Yuta Watanabe were not in uniform as they were called up by the Memphis Grizzlies. However, three Hustle players scored 20 or more points led by Brandon Goodwin who poured in a game-high 23 points and added six rebounds, three assists and a steal. Markel Crawford and Jevon Carter registered 21 points apiece, while Doral Moore collected 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks.

The first quarter was an offensive struggle as both teams combined to score 35 points in the opening period. Windy City made two of their first three shots to begin the game, but it was Memphis who led 7-4 at the first media timeout with 8:27 left to play in the quarter. Fair and Hall led the charge, scoring four points apiece, with Fair collecting seven rebounds and four assists to start the contest. As a team, Windy City shot 53 percent from the field, but surrendered seven turnovers, which led to 10 of the Hustle’s 18 first quarter points. For the fourth time in six games, the Bulls failed to reach the 20-point mark in the opening 12 minutes and trailed 18-17 at the end of the first stanza.

Memphis scored the first five points of the second quarter and led by six with 10:41 remaining before halftime. Windy City would tie the game at 30 on a three-point play by Sampson, but the Hustle responded with a 10-2 run to open an eight-point lead, their largest of first half. The Bulls trimmed the lead to five late in the in period but couldn’t inch closer. The Hustle outscored the Bulls by six points in the quarter and led 45-38 at the intermission.

In similar fashion to the second quarter, the Hustle scored five straight points to begin the second half, opening their first double-digit lead of the night. However, Windy City would respond by scoring 10 of the next 12 points and sliced the lead to two on back-to-back three-point baskets by Mulder and Beachem. The Bulls would go on tie the game at 54 apiece on a bucket by Mulder, capping a 16-4 run. Following a pair of free throws by Wilder, Fair gave Windy City a 62-61 lead on a layup, their first advantage since the opening quarter. Memphis closed the period strong, scoring the final nine points, while using nine Windy City turnovers to maintain their eight-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Alkins scored the opening basket of the final 12 minutes to cut the lead to six, but Carter went on a personal 8-2 run to open a 14-point Hustle lead, their largest of the night. Windy City scored 12 of their first 14 points in the paint and used the inside game to spark a mid-quarter run. A 10-2 spurt by the Bulls cut the deficit to six, which forced a Memphis timeout with 7:18 to play. Following the stoppage, Windy City continued their run and rattled six consecutive points to tie the game at 84, but never managed to retake the lead. The Hustle outscored the Bulls by 14 points in the final five minutes of the contest and grabbed their third consecutive win in convincing fashion.

With the loss, Windy City is now 0-2 all-time against the Hustle and have lost two straight by double figures.

The Bulls four-game road swing continues Friday night as they square off with the Grand Rapids Drive for the third time this month. Tip-off at Delta Plex Arena is set for 6:00pm CT.

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 2018-19 Windy City Bulls season are on sale now. For all ticket information and full season schedule, visit WindyCityBulls.com.

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