Memphis Hustle fall to Salt Lake City Stars 118-111

The Memphis Hustle (9-3) fell to the Salt Lake City Stars (7-8) 118-111 on Monday in the first match up of a road back-to-back series at Maverik Center in Salt Lake City.

Frank Jackson led the Stars with 25 points, while Johnny Juzang followed with 24 points and six rebounds. Tyler Cook posted his fifth double-double of the season behind 13 points and 11 rebounds, Stacy Davis added 12 points off the bench and Elijah Cain and Isaiah Miller scored 11 points apiece off the bench.

Matthew Hurt led the Hustle with a career-high 29 points and five rebounds. Justin Bean totaled 17 points and six rebounds, and Jacob Gilyard posted his fourth double-double of the season behind 15 points and a career-high 17 assists. Damien Jefferson added 14 points and five rebounds off the bench, and Dakota Mathias contributed 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

The Stars pulled ahead early behind a 20-3 run to close out the first quarter, leading 40-23. Despite Salt Lake City reaching a 19-point lead in the second quarter, Memphis responded with an 18-6 run and brought the game within four points at halftime, 60-56.

The Hustle scored 33 points in the third quarter and regained the lead, 79-76, with 5:42 remaining in the period. However, after five lead changes in the fourth quarter, the Stars posted the final five points of the game to earn the win.

Memphis recorded 34 assists on 43 made baskets and committed only eight turnovers while forcing 16, but Salt Lake City won the fourth quarter 33-22 and out rebounded the Hustle 12-5 in the frame.the

The Hustle will play the Stars at 7 p.m. Central on Tuesday, Jan. 31, at the Maverik Center in the second and final game of the back-to-back.