Legends' Hot Start Falls Short against Hustle
December 15, 2019 - NBA G League (G League)
Texas Legends News Release
FRISCO, TX - The Texas Legends (9-6) were unable to maintain their 44-point start falling to the Memphis Hustle (13-1) 120-132 Saturday night.
The game opened with a pullup from Nate Mason to set up a season-best quarter for Texas. With a combined 21-point effort from Mason and Dakota Mathias, Texas built up a 17-point lead finishing the first up 44-27. Memphis streaked through 10 points to start the second and jeopardize Texas' double-digit lead. The Legends jumped back up and held the 10-point edge at the midway mark when a three from Matt Mooney alleviated that for the night. Josh Jackson put up all nine of his points in the latter half of the quarter as the Hustle continued chipping away at the lead. The visitors took control with 1:30 left before halftime and held the Legends off to go into the locker room up 68-67.
The two teams hit a hot streak in the third, both hitting at least 50%, but Texas couldn't contain the Western Conference leaders as they hustled up to a 98-90 lead at the buzzer. Aric Holman hit all 10 of his points on the night in the fourth quarter as the Legends battled from behind. Texas went on an 11-4 run in the early minutes to come within one and kept it close through most of the fourth. A Josh Reaves putback had them within one with less than four minutes to play, but Memphis closed with 10 unanswered points to seal their third victory of the season series.
Dakota Mathias led the Legends with 25 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. Jaylen Hoard came off the bench for 21 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists, and Moses Brown added 18 points and a team-high 8 rebounds. Antonius Cleveland finished perfect, hitting 7-of-7 for 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, and a block. Nate Mason added 13 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists while Aric Holman rounded out the double-digits at 10 points, 5 rebounds.
Jarrod Uthoff led all scorers with 26 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals while Ahmad Caver came off the bench to add 23 points, 4 rebounds. John Konchar and Josh Jackson grabbed 19 points apiece with Konchar adding 10 rebounds and Jackson tallying 9 rebounds, 8 assists. Matt Mooney and Marquis Teague teamed up for 24 points.
The Legends will head to Sioux Falls Tuesday to take on the Skyforce before the 2019 G League Showcase. Texas will open the Las Vegas-based tournament against the Windy City Bulls Thursday at 5:30pm CT. Both games will be broadcast live on www.TexLegends.com.
• Discuss this story on the NBA G League message board...
NBA G League Stories from December 15, 2019
- Santa Cruz Warriors Defeat Suns, 110-100 - Santa Cruz Warriors
- South Bay Drops Close Game to Stockton - South Bay Lakers
- Suns Starting Backcourt Shines in Loss to Warriors - Northern Arizona Suns
- Magic Fall to Nets - Osceola Magic
- Drive Lose Tough One to Red Claws - Grand Rapids Drive
- Edwards, Waters Lead Red Claws - Maine Celtics
- College Park Skyhawks Host Inaugural 'Season of Giving' Event - College Park Skyhawks
- Hornets Recall Caleb Martin & Jalen McDaniels from Greensboro Swarm - Greensboro Swarm
- Legends' Hot Start Falls Short against Hustle - Texas Legends
- Blue Comes up Short against Vipers - Oklahoma City Blue
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.
