Essengue scores 22, but Windy City Bulls suffer first loss

The Windy City Bulls fell in their first loss of the season 156-128 to the Iowa Wolves on Friday night. Chicago Bulls forward Noa Essengue, on assignment with Windy City, led the team’s scoring effort with 22 points, shooting 54% from the field and grabbing six rebounds.

Facing the Wolves on the second night of a back-to-back, the match opened with a relatively close first half. Thirteen points by Essengue in the second period helped close the gap for the Bulls, who trailed by 4 at the half. The momentum shifted firmly into Iowa’s favor in the third quarter when Wolves guard Tristen Newton erupted for 21 points. Newton’s performance, paired with second-half shooting struggles for the Bulls, ultimately led the Wolves to victory.

Chicago Bulls two-way forward/center Lachlan Olbrich and Windy City forward Kevin Knox II chipped in 17 points apiece, with Olbrich also tallying eight rebounds. From the bench, Bulls forward Mouhamadou Gueye recorded the team’s only double-double with a season-high 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Three Wolves ended with more than 25 points, with guard Tristen Newton leading the pack putting up a game-high 38 points and a near double-double nine assists. Not far behind, Iowa guard Zyon Pullin logged 37 points, and forward Alize Johnson recorded 28 points and seven rebounds. Minnesota Timberwolves two-way forward Enrique Freeman notched a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds.

With the loss the Bulls fall to 4-1 and the Wolves rise to 5-2. Windy City plays in Hoffman Estates for its next matchup against the Sioux Falls Skyforce on Wednesday.