Hustle sweep Warriors, head west to take on leader Stockton

Photo: Jake LaRavia of the Memphis Hustle (right) shown earlier in the season against South Bay, scored a career-high 34 points against Santa Cruz Wednesday night. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)

The Memphis Hustle (8-1) defeated the Santa Cruz Warriors (3-6) 129-122 on Wednesday at the Landers Center for the second consecutive night, sweeping a two-game back-to-back series.

Jake LaRavia led all players with a career-high 34 points and seven rebounds. Justin Bean followed with a career-high 25 points and eight rebounds, David Roddy totaled 21 points in his second appearance with the Hustle, and Kenneth Lofton Jr. posted his fifth double-double of the season behind 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Former Memphis Tiger Lester Quinones led the Warriors with 30 points and 11 rebounds, his second straight double-double, while Ryan Rollins finished with 22 points off the bench. Jordan Schakel contributed 17 points and seven rebounds, Gui Santos posted a double-double behind 15 points and 10 rebounds, and ex-Memphis Hustle player Dusty Hannahs added 12 points and seven assists. Jayce Johnson and Zeke Moore each scored 10 points, with Johnson adding a career-high 17 rebounds.

After trailing 27-25 at the end of the first quarter, Memphis posted 41 points in the second quarter, taking the lead 66-58 at halftime. LaRavia posted 27 of his 34 points in the first two quarters. The Hustle continued their hot streak in the third quarter, where they reached their largest lead of the night of 21 points and led 102-86 heading into the final frame. Despite a late rally by the Warriors to bring the score within five, the Hustle solidified the win with four made free throws between Roddy and Jacob Gilyard.

The Hustle, who have won all five home games to start the regular season, will go on the road to play the Stockton Kings at 7 p.m. Central time on Thursday, Jan. 26, at Stockton Arena in the first matchup of a two-game series in California.