Hustle Take Down First Place Austin Spurs
March 21, 2018 - NBA G League (G League)
Memphis Hustle News Release
The Memphis Hustle earned its third straight win with a 109-105 decision against the Austin Spurs Tuesday night at Landers Center. Austin (31-17) stands alone atop the Western Conference and entered the evening with the NBA G League's best record (31-16, .660). With the win, Memphis won the regular season series 2-1.
The Hustle defense set the tone early, holding the Spurs to 18 first quarter points and forcing nine of the team's 19 turnovers in the opening frame alone. Memphis led by as many as 15 in the period. After facing a 29-18 deficit heading into the second quarter, the Spurs scrapped their way back into the game and eventually took a 75-66 lead with 2:45 remaining in the third before the Hustle responded with a 12-0 run to close the quarter.
The run was then extended to 20-3, giving the Hustle an eight point lead with 8:30 remaining. Austin cut the Memphis lead to as little as one but would never regain the lead after Marquis Teague, in his usual fashion, got the hoop and the harm to give Memphis a four point lead (107-103) with 34.9 seconds remaining.
Omari Johnson led the Hustle in scoring for the 11th time this season and scored 14 of his game-high tying 25 points in the first quarter. Johnson also grabbed eight rebounds and shot 10-of-19 from the field. Myke Henry came on strong in the second half, scoring 14 of his 21 points and knocking down two straight from long distance to extend Memphis' lead to eight early in the fourth quarter. Teague added in 17 points and a game-high six assists.
Jaron Blossomgame (25 points, 10 rebounds) had his 13th double-double of the season. Spurs assignee Derrick White posted 23 points to go with four assists. Matt Costello added 16 points (6-8 FG) and seven rebounds. In two appearances at Landers Center this season, Costello shot 11-of-13 from the field, including his first 11 attempts overall. Darrun Hilliard (13 points) and Nick Johnson (10 points) also reached double figures.
The team plays its home finale on Friday, March 23 at 7 p.m. against the South Bay Lakers on Fan Appreciation Night. Tickets are still available and start for as low as $10. Fans 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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