WISCONSIN HERD RUNS WITH THE BULLS BUT FALLS SHORT

The Wisconsin Herd, the NBA G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks, lost to the Windy City Bulls 144-133. The Bulls stole the first lead of the game, but the Herd went on a 14-0 run to secure the forefront at the end of the first quarter 35-29. The Herd continued to be unstoppable offensively building to a 15-point advantage in the second quarter and later pushing ahead to the largest lead of the game with 20 points. The Herd gave up a costly 19-4 point run for the Bulls which pushed them ahead in the third quarter. Wisconsin held them off to lead 105-103 at the end of the third quarter but the Bulls didn’t stay down for long. The Bulls pushed ahead to a six-point lead and stayed ahead to win the game.

Rob Edwards led the Herd with 26 points while A.J. Green added 25 points. Alize Johnson posted a triple-double with 22 points, 16 rebounds and assists.

The Bulls were captained by Carlik Jones with 40 points followed by Marko Simonovic with 21 points and 11 rebounds.  

The two teams traded the lead three times before the Bulls ran away with an 11-8 lead at the beginning of the first quarter. Elijah Hughes hit a three-point shot to tie the game again at 19-19 and Alex Antetokounmpo drove home a layup to put the Herd ahead. The Bulls stole the lead one more time before the Herd scored 14 unanswered points to close out the first quarter. The Herd had the advantage of 35-29 at the end of the first quarter.

Rob Edwards opened the second quarter with a made three-point shot. Paris Bass hit a jump shot while A.J. Green and Rob Edwards added three straight three-pointers. A.J. Green added another three to put the Herd up by 15 points at the eight-minute mark. The Bulls rebounded with a small run of nine unanswered points to cut down the Herd’s lead. Jordan Bone and Joe Wieskamp combined for six points to keep the Herd afloat. The Herd ended the half with five consecutive points and led 72-59. Joe Wieskamp guided the Herd with 13 points.

The Herd hit a strong run at the beginning of the third quarter to take the 20-point advantage at the nine-minute mark. The Bulls answered every Herd shot with two of their own to cut down the Herd’s head start. Alize Johnson hit three succeeding baskets to bring the Herd up by 15. The Herd defense fell to a 7-0 run by the Bulls. Windy City continued to charge back taking the lead 95-94 for the first time since the first quarter. A.J. Green drained a three-point bucket to grab the upper hand for the Herd. The two teams went back and forth but the Herd converted two three-point shots in a row to go ahead 105-103 at the end of the third quarter.

The Bulls grabbed the lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter with the first two baskets. The Herd countered every basket by the Bulls until they broke free to take a 117-111 lead with nine minutes remaining. Alize Johnson hit back-to-back shots but the Bulls remained ahead. The Herd powered up with an 11-2 run to come within two points. The Bulls put the run to a stop with two consecutive three-point shots. A.J. Green and Jordan Bone closed out the game with a combined seven points. The Bulls beat the Herd 144-133.

The Herd stays at home to take on the Santa Cruz Warriors on Tuesday, February 7 with tip-off at 6:00 p.m. CST.