Hustle drop first game of back-to-back against Vipers

Memphis Hustle /March 19, 2023

SOUTHAVEN, MS - MARCH 17: Adonis Arms #25 of the Memphis Hustle dribbles the ball against Trhae Mitchell #6 of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers during an NBA G-League game on March 17, 2023 at Landers Center in Southaven, Mississippi. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Southaven, Miss. – The Memphis Hustle (20-7), the NBA G League affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies, fell to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (16-12) in the first game of a back-to-back series at Landers Center.

Darnell Cowart tied his career-high with 20 points in his first start of the season. Damien Jefferson added 15 points off the bench. Justin Bean finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Dakota Mathias and Romeo Weems scored 13 points each. Jacob Gilyard contributed 11 points and eight assists.

Trevor Hudgins made 10-of-18 attempts from beyond the arc and finished with 34 points to lead the Vipers. The Vipers had three players secure double-doubles with Darius Days tallying 22 points and 12 rebounds, Trhae Mitchell recording 13 points and 14 rebounds and Ray Spalding contributing 11 points and 13 rebounds. Jarrett Culver added 24 points.

The Vipers used a 19-2 run to take an eight-point lead at the end of the first quarter. The Hustle were able to cut into the Vipers’ lead and tie the game at 44 before the Vipers closed the second quarter on an 18-5 run to reestablish their lead. The Hustle cut the Vipers lead down to 12 midway through the fourth quarter, but the Vipers stopped the Hustle rally finishing the game on a 15-4 run to secure the victory.

Rio Grande Valley tied the G League season high making 24 of their 53 attempts from beyond the arc.

The Hustle will be back in action tomorrow night Saturday, March 18 at 7 p.m. C.T in their final home game of the regular season.

Single-game tickets for all regular season Hustle games are on sale now. Tickets start as low as $14 and are available for purchase at Tick etmaster.com or by calling (901) 888-HOOP. Additionally, all-inclusive floor seats and tables are still available for purchase, and the Hustle are accepting $50 deposits for groups of 10-or-more.

For more information on the Memphis Hustle, visit memphishustle.com, follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@MemphisHustle) or like Memphis Hustle on Facebook.