Knicks Bury Bulls 117-111; Hernandez and Williams Shine in Win

BRIDGEPORT, CT – February 6, 2022 – The Westchester Knicks, the official NBA G League affiliate of the New York Knicks, avenged Friday’s night’s setback and made work of the Windy City Bulls, 117-111, Sunday night at Webster Bank Arena.

The duo of Brandon Williams (tryout) and Dewan Hernandez (returning rights) spearheaded the Knicks’ (5-7) offensive attack with a combined 62 points, with each player contributing 31 apiece. Hernandez’s 31 points set a new career-high, which accompanied 10 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season. Aamir Simms (Affiliate) contributed his seventh double-double of the season with 19 points and 10 rebounds. In his first start with the team, Allen Crabbe (claimed off waivers) dropped his first double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Coming off the bench, MJ Walker (Affiliate) chipped in with 11 points and four assists.

The Bulls (6-8) were led by Ethan Thompson and Kerwin Roach, who each scored 20 points. Bryce Alford went for 18 as well.

Hernandez opened the game’s scoring with a quick layup in a back-and-forth first quarter that saw six lead changes. The home team went on a 12-2 run in the final 2:26 of the quarter to take a commanding 29-20 lead after one.

Westchester would not relinquish the lead in the second, taking the game’s first double-digit lead, and the largest lead of the contest, 32-20, on a triple from Hernandez 35 seconds into the period. Windy City pestered keeping the game within striking distance, and filled all but two points of its deficit, 59-57, heading to the locker room.

After the break, the visitors took a brief two-point advantage, 63-61, at the 9:12 mark of the third, before the hosts responded firing off 10 unanswered points to retake the lead, 71-63. The Bulls countered, and the score was kept tight, until Williams scored five straight points in the final 30 seconds of the quarter to give the Knicks a 91-83 lead after 36 minutes.

In the final frame, the score was tied, 106-up with 2:54 to go and thanks to the one-two punch of Williams and Hernandez, the Knicks were not without the lead for long. In desperation, the Bulls utilized fouling, timeout, and offense/defense tactics to keep themselves in the game but ultimately fell by the six-point decision.

The Knicks will finish their four-game home stand tomorrow, February 7, to face the Lakeland Magic at 7 PM ET.