Hustle Hold off Mad Ants Behind Watanabe's Career Night
November 21, 2018 - NBA G League (G League)
Memphis Hustle News Release
Southaven, Miss. - The Memphis Hustle defeated the Fort Wayne Mad Ants 120-118 after Brandon Goodwin drove to the basket and laid one in with 2.2 seconds remaining in the game. Two-way player Yuta Watanabe scored a career-high 32 points (11-19 FG, 6-10 3PT), including 23 in the second half, to help keep the Mad Ants at bay after the Hustle led by as many as 16.
Watanabe's scoring effort is tied for the highest by a Hustle player this season (Brandon Goodwin, 32 @ RGV 11/13) and one point away from tying the franchise single-game scoring record of 33, most recently achieved by Chance Comanche against Fort Wayne last season on January 27, 2018.
Goodwin posted a productive 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists, which marked his fifth 20-point performance already this season. Grizzlies assignee Jevon Carter (18 points, 10 assists) and Doral Moore (10 points, 11 rebounds) posted the first two double-doubles of the season for the Hustle. Dusty Hannahs tied his season-high with 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting (3-5 3P).
Two-way player Edmond Sumner led the Mad Ants attack with 28 points, including two consecutive three-pointers down the stretch to tie the game with 49 seconds remaining. Pacers assignees Ike Anigobgu (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Alize Johnson (11 points, 12 rebounds) each recorded a double-double. Tra-Deon Hollins (17 points) and Stephan Hicks (15 points) ensured that all five Mad Ants starters reached double figures.
After a back-and-forth first quarter, the Hustle steadily built their lead to 16 with 3:01 remaining in the first quarter. Fort Wayne chipped away at the lead before Sumner's threes eventually tied the game. A Carter miss, followed by a Sumner rebound, gave Fort Wayne a chance to take the lead but Kyle Casey's block gave the Hustle its final possession and led to Goodwin's game-winner.
The Hustle continue its six-game homestand on Sunday, November 25 against the Oklahoma City Blue, with tip-off at noon. Tickets are still available starting at $10 and fans wishing to attend can purchase tickets at all Ticketmaster locations, ticketmaster.com, the Landers Center Box Office, online at MemphisHustle.com or by calling (901) 888-HOOP.
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