HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — The Grand Rapids Drive (27-21) clinched the best record in Drive history by defeating the Windy City Bulls (23-25) on the road Tuesday night by a 104-93 final. The Drive scored just 13 points in the first quarter and allowed 39 Windy City points in the third, but were strong enough in the other 24 minutes to earn their fourth win in a row.
Landry Nnoko had a big game for the Drive, picking up 21 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks, going 8-of-10 from the floor. KJ McDaniels added 17 points and 12 rebounds off the bench, and Speedy Smith also excelled off the bench, narrowly missing a triple-double by recording 13 points, nine rebounds and 11 assists.
Tyler Harris’ 16 points led Windy City, and he also tied for the team lead with 10 rebounds. Jarell Eddie had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and CJ Fair and Mychal Mulder each scored 15 points as well. Ryan Arcidiacano fought off some offensive struggles to record 15 assists for the Bulls, the most by a Drive opponent this season.
There were 16 lead changes in the game as the teams traded surges and quarters. The Drive struggled massively in the first quarter, making just 5-of-21 field goal attempts in the first 12 minutes. They actually led by as many as nine points in that quarter, as the Bulls were not able to get much going offensively either until their big third quarter run. The Bulls led by one heading into the fourth, but the Drive took over from there.
Grand Rapids was physical in the paint all night, out-rebounding Windy City 58-45 and blocking nine shots compared to two by their opponents. The Drive also uncharacteristically had a significant advantage in drawing free throws, attempting 23 of them while the Bulls managed 14.