Photo: Matt Hurt of the Memphis Hustle (shown in action earlier in the season) knocked down the game-winning basket in his team’s 118-117 victory over Stockton Tuesday night. (Michael Priest/stoppingtimephotography.com)
Matt Hurt’s deep three-point shot with 2.6 seconds left in the game salvaged a 118-117 victory for the Memphis Hustle over the Stockton Kings Tuesday night at the Landers Center.
The last of five three-pointers by Hurt, many of which came from a similar range you might see from Iowa’s star shooter Caitlyn Clark, brought the Hustle its 14th victory of the season against 18 losses. Stockton, at 22-10, fell into a first-place tie with Sioux Falls ahead of a season-ending pair of games with the Skyforce this weekend for the Western Conference regular season title.
However, it was Michael Devoe’s 25 points that led the Hustle offense. Devoe and Hurt were among six Hustle players in double figures. Davon Reed added 10 rebounds to his 18 points for a double-double on the night.
Meanwhile, Stockton had a pair of sharpshooters with Jaylen Nowell scoring 39 points and Stanley Johnson’s 35 points making for a strong one-two punch for the Sacramento Kings’ affiliate.
The Hustle put up 38 points in the first quarter for a 38-25 lead but the Kings answered in the second quarter to get within 68-60 Hustle at halftime. The Hustle went stone cold in the third quarter, netting only 21 points as Stockton took a 95-89 lead going into the final 12 minutes. The Kings took its first lead since the beginning of the game at 83-82 with about three minutes left in the third.
The battle in the fourth quarter almost became a real battle with seven minutes left in the game. That’s when a hard foul on a block by the Hustle’s Loudon Love on the Kings’ Gabe Levin led to a brief shoving match between players from the two teams. It ended with technical fouls being charged to Love, Nowell, and Shabazz Muhammad. Love also got a flagrant-one foul for knocking Levin to the floor.
“Honestly, I thought it was a good block and they (referees) agreed it was a good block,” said March. “He got all ball but the flagrant was the follow through and then everything that resulted from that.
That set up the final minutes and final seconds of the game when a three-pointer by the Kings gave them a 117-115 lead followed by the Hustle taking two timeouts to set up the game winning shot by Hurt. A missed shot by the Kings at the buzzer preserved the victory.
“The guys just competed,” said March. “We don’t have a lot to play for right now, except for us. It’s for these guys to continue to improve and get their shot as a call up. They’ve competed all year.”
Hurt’s winning shot was another indication of what has led to the former Duke player getting two call ups to the parent Memphis Grizzlies.
“It was good to see him get going the last couple of games,” March said. “He’s a heck of a talented young man and I expect him to be in an NBA jersey somewhere before the season ends.”
With no playoff opportunity on the horizon and two more road games left in the season, March said continuing to compete and playing the right way are the goals he wants to see from the Hustle as the season wraps up.
“I’d love for us to go to New York and handle it the right way,” March said. “I’d love to see us compete just like we did tonight and bring that same mentality.”
The Hustle play games at Westchester, New York (Knicks) Friday and Saturday to wrap up the regular season.
DeSoto County scoreboard
Monday, March 25
Prep softball
Saltillo 10, Lake Cormorant 0 (5 innings)
Note: Lady Gators mustered just one hit in the loss, a single by Alyssa Boswood, who struck out one and walked three in 4.1 innings in the circle.
Tuesday, March 26
Prep baseball
Center Hill 15, Olive Branch 0 (4 innings)
Note: The Mustangs scored eight times in the second inning for a 10-0 lead at the time. Olive Branch was held to one hit in the game. Houston Green scored twice, had two hits, including a double, and earned three RBIs for Center Hill to lead the offense. Mac Atkins was the winning pitcher, allowing no hits while striking out four in two innings.
Northpoint Christian 14, Harding Academy 1 (5 innings)
Note: KL Farr threw a no-hitter for Northpoint, striking out seven and issuing four walks. Farr also hit a pair of triples and Jace Robinson hit a pair of doubles. Robinson and Isaiah Nolan drove in three runs for the Trojans and Robinson had three hits in the victory. Northpoint scored six times in the second inning.
Oxford 10, Southaven 5
Note: Oxford broke the game open with an eight-run second inning. Stephen Tolbert, Cristian Bridges, and Caleb Parnell had two hits each for Southaven with Tolbert and Jayson Smith hitting doubles.
Prep softball
Hernando 13, Southaven 0 (4 innings)
Note: Hernando scored 10 runs in the bottom of the first on their way to the shutout victory. Hayden Hodge scored two runs on two hits and drove in three runs to lead the Lady Tiger offense. Kaitlyn Gentry scored twice, had two hits and drove in a run. Hodge, Gentry and Jayla Sites all tripled for Hernando. Olivia Skinner threw a four-inning no-hitter and struck out eight.
Lewisburg 7, DeSoto Central 2
Note: Lewisburg scored three times in the second inning and four more in the third inning to overcome a two-run Lady Jag second. Lewisburg played errorless softball while DeSoto Central committed three errors in the loss. Karleigh Woods and Payton Moss each scored two runs on hits and drove in a run for Lewisburg. Leah Nevarez homered to drive in the first three Lady Patriot runs. Ella Abrams also doubled for Lewisburg and in the circle struck out six and walked one. DeSoto Central was led by Londen Armstrong and Darby Smith with two hits. Kaylee Tucker drove in both Lady Jag runs. Colby Young took the loss for DeSoto Central with all seven runs allowed, three earned, and Young walked three in three innings pitched.
Prep boys soccer
Northpoint Christian 6, Brighton, Tenn. 0
Note: Miller Lashlee scored five goals and added an assist for Northpoint. Maverick Ray added the other goal and Eli Bailey earned three assists.
