Hustle finish Showcase Cup with second loss to Squadron

The Memphis Hustle, the Grizzlies’ NBA G League affiliate, dropped its final game of the Showcase Cup 113-109 to the Birmingham Squadron on Tuesday.

Joe Young scored a career-high 30 points (12-22 FG) to lead Birmingham, adding seven rebounds and three blocks and shooting 6-of-10 shooting from 3-point range. Jared Harper totaled 28 points and two assists on 7-of-17 shooting. Malcolm Hill posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Freddie Gillespie set the Hustle single-game franchise record with 20 rebounds to go with 17 points, his fifth double-double in the last seven games. Cameron Young notched his third consecutive game over 20 points with 24 points and four rebounds. David Stockton added 22 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. 

The Hustle erased a 15-point lead to tie the game at 96 with 5:36 remaining thanks to a 24-9 run. Gillespie later connected on his first 3-pointer of the season to give Memphis a 109-108 lead with under 2:00 to play. After the basket from Gillespie, the Hustle missed their final five shots of the game, as the Squadron scored the final five points. 

Harper scored 17 of his 28 in the first half, helping Birmingham to a 56-49 lead at the halftime break. Memphis struggled to take care of the ball, turning it over 12 times for 14 points in the first half.

Memphis trailed just 70-68 early in the third quarter, but Birmingham scored 13 unanswered over the next 1:36 of play to extend the lead to 83-68.  

Next, the Hustle travel to Las Vegas for the NBA G League Winter Showcase, where the team awaits their two-game schedule.