Hustle open 2024 with win in Iowa
The Memphis Hustle (1-1) tipped off 2024 with a 138-134 win over the Iowa Wolves (0-3) at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.
Two-way transfer Jacob Gilyard paced the Hustle offense with 20 points and 16 assists with just two turnovers. On assignment from the Grizzlies, Jake LaRavia finished with a game-high 28 points. Matthew Hurt added 24 points, six rebounds and five blocks. Two-way transfer GG Jackson II scored 20 points. Jason Preston contributed 13 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Adonis Arms added 12 points and six rebounds off the bench.
D.J. Carton led the Wolves with 25 points and seven assists. On assignment from the Wolves, Wendell Moore Jr. tallied 22 points and eight rebounds. Nojel Eastern and Trevor Keels each scored 19 points. Timberwolves assignee Leonard Miller finished with 16 points and seven rebounds. Lance Stephenson tallied 14 points and Tyrese Martin scored 12 points off the bench.
After trailing by as many as 12 in the fourth quarter, the Hustle fought back to tie the game at 129 with 1:31 remaining in the game. Memphis closed the game on a 9-2 run, with Hurt’s dunk with 29.4 seconds left giving the Hustle the decisive lead.
Memphis set new season highs with 40 assists and 19 3-pointers. The Hustle outscored the Wolves 25-15 in fast break points. Memphis shot 53.7 percent from the field, and 47.5 percent from beyond the arc, both season highs. The game featured 21 lead changes and seven ties.
The Hustle and Wolves will play again in Des Moines on Wednesday, Jan. 3, at 7 p.m.
