Photo: Jason Preston (7) of the Memphis Hustle is shown in action earlier during Showcase Cup play at the Landers Center. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
The Memphis Hustle (0-1) tipped off the regular season with a 132-123 road loss to the Indiana Mad Ants (1-0) on Wednesday, Dec. 27, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Jason Preston notched his second career triple-double, finishing with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 14 assists. Matthew Hurt led the Hustle in scoring with 27 points. Two-way transfer GG Jackson II contributed 20 points and eight rebounds. David Johnson added 14 points off the bench. Adonis Arms and Davon Reed each scored 10 points.
Jordan Bell paced the Mad Ants with 23 points off the bench. Oscar Tshiebwe contributed 20 points and 13 rebounds. Craig Sword added 20 points. Kyle Mangas tallied 19 points and eight assists. Isaiah Wong tallied 14 points and seven assists.
With the Hustle leading by 10, Indiana closed the third quarter on a 12-2 run to tie the game entering the fourth quarter. The Mad Ants outscored the Hustle 26-17 after the game was tied at 106.
The Mad Ants tallied 78 bench points. Indiana scored 23 points off turnovers and 24 second chance points.
The Hustle’s road trip continues as they travel to Des Moines, Iowa to face the Iowa Wolves on Monday, Jan. 1, at 2 p.m.
