Memphis Hustle Escapes Delaware Blue Coats 110-106
January 24, 2019
The Delaware Blue Coats (10-15), the NBA G League affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers, narrowly fell to the Memphis Hustle (17-12), 110-106, on 76ers Fieldhouse Opening Night. Wednesday’s back-and-forth affair came in front of a standing-room-only crowd at the brand new 161,000 square-foot facility in Wilmington.
Memphis Hustle Guard MARCUS KEENE (4) brings the ball down court in the second half of an NBA G-league regular season basketball game between the Delaware Blue Coats and the Memphis Hustle (Memphis Hustle Grizzlies) Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, at the 76ers Fieldhouse in Wilmington, DE. Photo By Saquan Stimpson
16 seconds into the game, 76ers two-way contract player Shake Milton scored the first basket in the history of 76ers Fieldhouse on a driving layup. Milton finished with 20 points (9-19 fg, 1-2 3fg, 1-1 ft), nine rebounds and two assists in 27 minutes. Jared Brownridge scored a game-high tying 21 points (7-17 fg, 3-12 3fg, 4-4 ft) in 28 minutes off the bench. Rashad Vaughn added 16 points (3-9 fg, 2-4 3fg, 8-8 ft) in 21 minutes as a reserve.
Cameron Oliver (11 points, 10 rebounds) and Ryan Anderson (10 points, 17 rebounds) each finished with double-doubles for the home team. The Blue Coats outrebounded the visitors 61-44 for the game. The 61 rebounds marked a season-high.
“I hope that we [continue to] get the same kind of energy and enthusiasm that we did tonight,” said head coach Connor Johnson. “It’s great and we’re happy to be here. We’re really excited about the building and we’re still looking for our first win.”
Marcus Keene tallied 21 points (9-15 fg, 1-2 3fg, 2-2 ft) in 29 minutes off the bench for the Hustle. Keene’s total topped a list of seven Memphis players to reach double figures. Dusty Hannahs and Kyle Casey added 16 points apiece.
The Blue Coats return to their new home for a back-to-back this weekend as part of 76ers Fieldhouse Opening Weekend. The team hosts the Sioux Falls Skyforce on Friday and welcomes the Greensboro Swarm on Saturday. Both games tip off at 7:00 p.m.