Hustle comeback falls short against Vipers
Photo: GG Jackson II, shown in action earlier in the season, scored 32 points and 13 rebounds against Rio Grande Valley Friday night. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
The Memphis Hustle (2-2) dropped the first game of a back-to-back against the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (3-0) 118-113 at Bert Ogden Arena in Edenburg, Texas.
Two-way transfer GG Jackson II led the Hustle scoring 32 points and grabbing a career-high 13 rebounds. Matthew Hurt tallied 18 points and nine rebounds. On assignment from the Grizzlies, Jake LaRavia scored 15 points. Timmy Allen added 12 points off the bench. Jason Preston tallied his second double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Jermaine Samuels Jr. paced the Vipers with 26 points and 10 rebounds. Darius Days scored 16 points off the bench. Jarrett Culver added 15 points. Nate Hinton contributed 14 points and eight rebounds. Nate Williams tallied 11 points and 11 rebounds. Jalen Lecque and Ray Spalding each totaled 10 points.
The Vipers used an 11-0 run to start the second quarter to take a 16-point lead. Rio Grande Valley led by as many as 22 points in the second half, before the Hustle cut the deficit to three points with 1:10 remaining in the game. Days responded with a 3-pointer to thwart the Memphis comeback.
The Vipers scored 23 points off the bench and got 52 points from their bench.
The Hustle will complete the back-to-back set in Texas Saturday, Jan. 6, at 7:30 p.m. to conclude a five-game road trip.
