Hustle Hold off Legends for Season Opening Win
November 8, 2019 - NBA G League (G League)
Memphis Hustle News Release
Southaven, Miss. - The Memphis Hustle won its season opener Friday night at Landers Center, defeating the Texas Legends 105-95. After Memphis led by as many as 21 (75-54) in the second half, Texas cut the lead to five (84-79) with 7:56 remaining before the Hustle pushed the lead back to double digits.
Memphis was solid on both ends of the floor in the opening frame, bursting out to a 32-18 lead. However, the Texas defense would stiffen up in the second, holding Memphis to just eight points through the first 9:12 of the second quarter and keeping the game within reach.
After a 50-39 halftime lead, the Hustle opened up the second half on a 7-0 run to stretch the lead to 18 and eventually to its peak at 75-54 with 2:53 left in the third. Texas would outscore Memphis 25-9 over the next 5:57 to cut the lead to five.
The two teams combined for 48 turnovers, with Memphis forcing an opponent franchise-high 28 turnovers and also setting a franchise record with 37 points off of Texas turnovers. The Hustle also held Texas to just 5-of-34 (.147) from beyond the arc.
Jarrod Uthoff led all scorers with 23 points to go with eight rebounds. Dusty Hannahs poured in 19 points off the bench, shooting 3-of-6 from three-point range. Grizzlies assignee Josh Jackson totaled 18 points, six rebounds, five assists and three blocks. Two-way player John Konchar added in 16 points while Matt Mooney posted 11 of his own. Two-way player Yuta Watanabe led all players with 12 rebounds.
All five Legends starters reached double figures in a balanced effort for the visitors, led by Dakota Mathias and his 19-point outing. Former Grizzlies guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes added 16 points and seven rebounds. Mavericks assignee Isaiah Roby (10 points, 10 rebounds) posted a double-double while Trail Blazers two-way player Jaylen Hoard (14 points, nine rebounds) fell one rebound shy.
The Hustle will travel to Texas tomorrow night for a rematch with the Legends at 7:30 p.m. inside Comerica Center. Fans can tune in at gleague.nba.com.
• Discuss this story on the NBA G League message board...
NBA G League Stories from November 8, 2019
- Vipers Steal Opening Night from Spurs - Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- Martin, Skyforce Silence Wolves in Season Opener - Sioux Falls Skyforce
- Hustle Hold off Legends for Season Opening Win - Memphis Hustle
- Dragan Bender Scores 20 Points, But Herd Drops Season-Opener to Windy City - Wisconsin Herd
- A Tale of Turnovers: Memphis Takes Game One - Texas Legends
- Skyforce Escape Wolves on Opening Night - Iowa Wolves
- Drive Begin Season with Impressive Road Win - Grand Rapids Drive
- Magic Gain Control Early to Beat Mad Ants - Indiana Mad Ants
- Legends Announce 24 Charity Jersey Nights - Texas Legends
- Vipers to Host Austin Spurs for Home Opener - Rio Grande Valley Vipers
- Stars Finalize Opening Night Roster - Salt Lake City Stars
- College Park Skyhawks Announce Opening Night Roster - College Park Skyhawks
- Legends to Open Online Trading Academy Club November 9th - Texas Legends
- Canton Charge to Borrow Old Cavs' Court - Cleveland Charge
- Complete 2019-20 Windy City Bulls Home Schedule to Air on NBC Sports Chicago - Windy City Bulls
- Austin Spurs to Host 15th Anniversary Celebration Tonight - Austin Spurs
- Peachtree TV Announced as the Broadcast Home of the College Park Skyhawks - College Park Skyhawks
- Milwaukee Bucks Assign Dragan Bender to Wisconsin Herd - Wisconsin Herd
- Knicks Finalize 2019-20 Opening Night Roster - Westchester Knicks
- Wolves Announce 2019-20 Opening Night Roster - Iowa Wolves
- Stockton Kings to Debut the Interactive Thrive Zone, Presented by Kaiser Permanente - Stockton Kings
- NBA G League Embarks on 19th Season with Record 28 Teams - G League
- Win the Moment 2.0: on the Identity of the New-Look Raptors 905 - Raptors 905
- Nuggets Assign Vlatko Cancar to Erie BayHawks - Erie BayHawks
- Greensboro Swarm Announce Opening Night Roster and Coaching Staff Additions - Greensboro Swarm
- Charlotte Hornets Assign Jalen McDaniels to Greensboro Swarm - Greensboro Swarm
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
