HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (Interstat) — The Windy City Bulls withstood a furious second-half rally by the Valley Suns before pulling away late for a 124-116 victory in a G League contest Thursday night at Sears Centre.

The game turned on a dominant opening quarter by the home team and a resilient closing effort to seal the win after the Suns erased a massive deficit.

Windy City exploded for 44 points in the first quarter, establishing a 13-point lead by the period’s end. The Bulls’ offense was fluid and efficient, with point guard Mac McClung orchestrating the attack and forward Mouhamadou Gueye providing an early inside presence. The Suns, meanwhile, struggled to find consistent stops, allowing the Bulls to shoot at a high clip from the field.

Valley responded with a strong second and third quarter, outscoring Windy City 67-46 over that span. The Suns’ offense found its rhythm behind guard Jaden Shackelford and forward Sean McDermott, while their defense stiffened considerably. They held the Bulls to just 15 points in the third quarter, completing a remarkable turnaround to take a 98-90 lead heading into the final period.

The most important part of the game, however, was Windy City’s fourth-quarter response. After being held in check for the middle two quarters, the Bulls’ offense reignited, pouring in 34 points in the final frame. McClung reasserted control, facilitating for teammates and attacking the basket, while Gueye and center Giorgi Bezhanishvili provided crucial interior scoring. The Bulls’ defense also ramped up its pressure, forcing key turnovers and holding Valley to 18 points on 31% shooting in the quarter to secure the comeback victory.

McClung’s all-around play was pivotal for Windy City, particularly in the first and fourth quarters. Gueye was a force in the paint on both ends, while Bezhanishvili hit several important shots down the stretch. For Valley, Shackelford led the scoring effort, McDermott provided versatile offense, and Kaleb Johnson was active around the rim.

With the win, Windy City improved its season record to 20 wins and 23 losses. Valley fell to 12-32. The two teams are scheduled for a rematch at the same venue on Saturday.

The outcome defied a back-and-forth narrative, as the Bulls’ early surge and late composure ultimately proved too much for a Suns team that has now lost three straight games and eight of its last ten. Windy City snapped a two-game skid of its own.