Windy City Bulls end 5-game slump
The Windy City Bulls ended a five-game slump with a win over the Delaware Blue Coats on Wednesday night, 114-103.
It was a sharp-shooting battle in the first half as both teams knocked down 12 three-pointers each, hitting well above their season averages from the outside.
The Bulls shot .444 from long range, nearly 13 percentage points above their normal output, helping them build as much as a 19-point advantage in the second quarter.
However, the Blue Coats answered back by shooting .429 from three-point range, nearly seven points above their average, and trimming the Windy City lead down to 11 heading into halftime, 65-54.
Leading the way with an impressive opening half in his first game with the Windy City Bulls was Jaron Blossomgame with 17 points, ten rebounds and four assists. Blossomgame, a former second round pick of the San Antonio Spurs in the 2017 NBA Draft, was recently acquired by the Bulls via trade with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, where he averaged 15.4 points and 6.8 rebounds this season. Blossomgame also appeared in 27 games for the Cleveland Cavaliers during their 2018-2019 campaign.
Also with a nice first half for the Bulls was Tre'Darius McCallum with 16 points, including 4-for-6 from three.
Heading up the scoring for Delaware in the opening two quarters were Jared Brownridge with 18 points on 6-for-11 from beyond the arc and Julian Washburn with 16 points and two rebounds.
The hot shooting continued in the third quarter, and with balanced scoring and minimal turnovers Windy City was able to stretch their lead to as many as 24 in the second half.
The outside touch cooled for the Bulls though, and the Blue Coats made a run late to cut the lead to just 8 with under four minutes remaining.
A key three-pointer by Blossomgame with a minute left took the lead back to eleven for Windy City, and the Bull were able to close the victory out from there.
Six Bulls players finished in double figures, including an strong debut by Blossomgame with 26 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and one steal. In addition, strong outings from McCallum with a season-high 19 points to go with three rebounds and Thomas Wilder with 17 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Xavier Munford out of Rhode Island finished with 25 points including 21 in the second half, nine rebounds and six assists for Delaware. Brownridge ended out with 21 points, four rebounds and four assists.
Windy City (12-17) will return home for a three-game home stand as they welcome in the Long Island Nets on Friday for Chicago Bulls Takeover Night, and the Grand Rapids Drive on Saturday for Community Heroes Night.