Hustle stay hot: Memphis defeats Magic behind Prosper’s 30 points
Photo: Jahmai Mashack lays up for a basket in Thursday’s 132-121 victory over the Osceola Magic at the Landers Center. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — The Memphis Hustle are finding their rhythm. Behind a dominant 30-point performance from Olivier-Maxence Prosper and a double-double from GG Jackson, the Hustle defeated the Osceola Magic 132-121 Thursday night at the Landers Center.
The victory marks the second straight win for Memphis following a difficult six-game losing streak.
Prosper was the engine for the Hustle offense, finishing with 30 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals. He was joined by Memphis Grizzlies assignee GG Jackson, who poured in 23 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, tying his career high on the boards. Tyler Burton contributed 18 points to the winning effort.
Despite the loss, the night belonged individually to former Memphis Tigers standout Lester Quinones. Now playing for the Magic, Quinones led all scorers with 33 points.
Stacking Minutes
The Hustle controlled the pace for the majority of the contest, leading by as many as 21 points. While Osceola managed to hold a brief three-point advantage, Memphis clamped down defensively when it mattered.
Hustle head coach Rob Sanicola praised his team’s ability to execute the game plan and maintain composure during Osceola’s runs.
“Guys executed what we practiced the last two days,” Sanicola said. “I’m proud of their effort. Even when it got a little murky there, they still stayed with it, and they didn’t panic.”
Sanicola emphasized that the team is still learning about itself, challenging the locker room at halftime to “stack minutes” on top of their previous solid performance in Birmingham.
“It was a challenge in the locker room… Can we stack how many more minutes on top of that?” Sanicola said. “I’m just proud that they played 36 good minutes.”
Developing Talent
Sanicola had high praise for Prosper, describing him as a “Swiss army knife” who impacts the game in multiple ways without forcing the issue.
“He’s getting downhill, rebounding, defending… he found the spots where he could be effective,” Sanicola said. “It’s hard to guard guys like that when you don’t know where it’s going to come from.”
Regarding GG Jackson, who has been with the team for three games on this assignment, Sanicola highlighted the young forward’s growth in maturity and accountability.
“What I’ve been impressed by is his accountability piece—just coming to me saying, ‘I’ll do better,’ or ‘next play’ mentality,” Sanicola noted. “He’s been engaged at practice, and it’s really good to see.”
Up Next
The Thursday night clash was the first of a unique three-game series against the Magic. The two teams will face off again on Sunday, this time in Florida.
Sanicola views the mini-series as a positive developmental tool, likening it to a playoff atmosphere.
“This is fun. This is what playoffs is—a three-game series,” Sanicola said. “There’s going to be some chess… Now it’s going to be, ‘Okay, what are they going to do to us? What do we expect?’ That puts a little bit more juice into this little series.”
SCOREBOARD
Thursday, Dec. 11
Prep boys’ basketball
- North Side 59, Horn Lake 42
- Southaven 39, North Panola 38
- Southwind 68, Center Hill 32
Prep girls’ basketball
- Southaven 37, North Panola 36
- Southwind 35, Center Hill 21
Prep boys’ soccer
- DeSoto Central 5, Horn Lake 1
- Olive Branch 2, South Panola 0
- Lewisburg 2, Hernando 1
- Tupelo 4, Southaven 0
Prep girls’ soccer
- DeSoto Central 5, Horn Lake 1
- Olive Branch 3, South Panola 2
- Hernando 1, Lewisburg 0
- Tupelo 8, Southaven 0
NBA G League basketball
- Memphis Hustle 132, Osceola Magic 121
