Westchester Knicks Dominate Early, Hold Off Windy City
The Westchester Knicks defeated the Windy City Bulls 114-104 after a scorching first quarter. Westchester scored 44 points in the first quarter, a near +20 increase from their 25.3 season average, according to NBA G League Stats.
Three players finished with 20+ points for the Knicks, led by Pacome Dadiet (26), Kevin McCullar Jr. (23), and Bryson Warren (20), who combined for 60% of the Knicks’ 114 points. Meanwhile, the Bulls’ Mac McClung led the way with 25 points on 47% shooting after missing her first four shots.
McCullar Jr. electrified the crowd immediately, hitting a deep three from the right wing to put Westchester up early.
The Knicks set the tone quickly, pushing the tempo on Windy City with aggressive attacks by McCullar Jr. and Dadiet. Westchester jumped to a 9-2 lead, forcing a Bulls timeout with 8:41 remaining in the first.
Defensively, Westchester was just as dominant. Trey Jemison blocked a shot at the rim, igniting the fastbreak for McCullar Jr., who scored six of the Knicks’ first 13 points. Westchester shot five of six in their first six attempts.
Defensive Pressure Sparks Early Lead
The Bulls struggled to generate offense, unable to get easy looks as Westchester’s active defense disrupted their rhythm without fouling. Hot shooting continued after the timeout. McCullar Jr. and Dadiet each drilled triples, helping the Knicks jump to a 21-6 advantage.
Mac McClung responded for Windy City with a thunderous dunk, attempting to ignite his team after a slow start. Yuki Kawamura quickly added a three-pointer, cutting the deficit to nine.
Westchester answered with Dadiet scoring five quick points out of the timeout, extending their lead to 34-20. The Knicks’ fluid ball movement helped them produce their highest-scoring opening period of the season.
Westchester Dominates from Deep
Westchester maintained efficiency from long range. Warren and Mohamed Diawara added triples, stretching the lead to 52-29. Eight different players contributed from downtown, totaling 12 made threes in the first half.
The Bulls cut the deficit to 18 after a McClung layup, capitalizing on late Knicks turnovers. McCullar Jr. lobbed one to Dadiet for a flush, sending Westchester into halftime ahead 71-53. The duo combined for 33 of the team’s 71 points, a +16.2 scoring margin increase from their first-half season average of 52.4.
Windy City Fights Back
Windy City opened the second half with five points, cutting Westchester’s lead to 10 after Giorgi Bezhanishvili drilled a deep three. Caleb Grill narrowed the gap further with a circus layup, reducing the lead to six.
Westchester went scoreless for over four minutes before Warren hit consecutive threes, restoring a nine-point advantage. The Bulls prevented any additional runs, keeping the second half competitive.
Ariel Hukporti checked in and scored seven points, providing a crucial boost with 6:20 remaining in the third.
Westchester Seals Game
With 5:38 left in the fourth, Westchester led 101-94. A timeout was called to challenge a foul on Dadiet’s three-point attempt, but the Knicks quickly regained momentum. McCullar Jr. drilled a deep three, pushing the lead to eight and putting the Bulls on their heels.
Knox hit a top-of-the-key three to cut it to five, 107-102, but Westchester stayed composed. Strong ball movement and clutch shooting allowed the Knicks to hold off Windy City down the stretch. Westchester looks to win back-to-back games for the first time this season as they play the Osceola Magic tomorrow at 7 P.M. Eastern time.
