HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (Interstat) — In a high-octane G League shootout that saw 21 lead changes and neither team lead by more than seven points, the Windy City Bulls outlasted the Osceola Magic 128-121 at Sears Centre Arena on Friday night.

The game, a critical early-January matchup for both teams in the standings, was ultimately decided by a decisive 7-0 run by the Bulls in the final 90 seconds, snapping a 121-121 tie and handing Osceola a narrow defeat.

Windy City set a relentless pace from the opening tip, leveraging a balanced and deep offensive attack. The Bulls placed nine scorers in double figures, led by a commanding performance from their backcourt. Mac McClung, despite early foul trouble, orchestrated the offense with precision and explosive scoring bursts, finishing as a central catalyst. His backcourt mate, R.J. Nembhard, provided consistent scoring and playmaking, repeatedly attacking the rim and finding open teammates.

Osceola, which entered the game with a 66.5% win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system, countered with its own offensive firepower. The Magic were led by the efficient scoring of Alex Morales, who consistently found seams in the Bulls’ defense. Reece Beekman facilitated effectively for Osceola, piling up assists while also contributing key steals and defensive plays.

The contest was a series of surges and counters. Windy City built an early 35-29 lead after a frenetic first quarter, but Osceola clawed back, trailing just 60-53 at halftime. The Magic’s best stretch came in the third quarter, where they erupted for 37 points to briefly seize momentum and a slim lead. The period was marked by a highlight-reel defensive sequence where Justin Minaya blocked consecutive shot attempts by McClung, epitomizing the game’s intense, back-and-forth nature.

The fourth quarter continued the trend, featuring 10 ties and several lead changes. With the score knotted at 121-121 inside the two-minute mark, Windy City’s defense and clutch shooting took over. A critical turnover by Osceola led to a fast-break layup by Nembhard, assisted by Emanuel Miller, to put the Bulls ahead for good at 123-121. On the ensuing possession, McClung delivered the dagger, sinking a deep step-back 3-pointer with a minute remaining to extend the lead to five. Mouhamadou Gueye sealed the victory with a powerful driving dunk in the final seconds, providing the final margin.

Defensively, Windy City’s interior presence was pivotal. Gueye was a force around the rim, recording multiple blocks and altering countless other shots, while Giorgi Bezhanishvili provided sturdy rebounding and scoring in the paint. Their efforts helped contain Osceola’s drives and second-chance opportunities down the stretch.

The victory improved Windy City’s record to 10-9, while Osceola fell to 12-8. The two teams are scheduled for an immediate rematch at Sears Centre on Saturday night.

The most important part of the game was the final 90-second sequence with the score tied 121-121. After a turnover by Osceola’s Javonte Smart, stolen by McClung, the Bulls executed a perfect transition play resulting in a R.J. Nembhard layup from Emanuel Miller. This broke the tie and gave Windy City a lead it would not relinquish. On the next trip, McClung’s contested 26-foot 3-pointer pushed the lead to five and effectively ended Osceola’s comeback hopes, culminating a game-defining 7-0 run that decided the outcome.