Written by Francisco Vera.
The Osceola Magic (8-5) fell two points short of completing a 22-point comeback as they dropped their second game to the Memphis Hustle (6-7) with the final score of 121-119.
Osceola returned to Osceola Heritage Park to face Memphis after their month-long road trip across the country, where they finished 4-3 in that stretch.
These two teams met on December 11th in Memphis. The Hustle took the win with a score of 132-121, so it was clear that Osceola wanted to return home and get the win.
The first quarter showed it would be a tough game from the start, with both teams trading baskets. However, after some mistakes by the Magic, Memphis began to capitalize and would jump to a seven-point lead by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter was mostly Hustle basketball. Osceola would get some baskets, but they were insignificant as Memphis continued to show dominance on both sides of the ball. With two minutes remaining, the Hustle had a 19-point lead and all the momentum going into halftime.
Frustration appeared to fill up the Magic roster, and it showed as the game was stopped after both teams got into a brawl. Osceola’s Phillip Wheeler got issued a Flagrant 2 foul, getting ejected from the game.
The score at halftime was a 70-48 Memphis lead, with Jordan Minor from the Hustle leading the scoresheet for both teams with 15 points.
Coming out of the half, it was a different ballgame, and the Magic quickly cut their 22-point deficit to 12, leading to a Memphis timeout. Osceola would continue to heat up and chip at the Hustle’s lead. By the end of the quarter, it was a seven-point game.
The final quarter was in full effect, and the Magic kept the game within six points. Memphis would not give up and continued to make stops on defense. With under three minutes remaining, Osceola would continue to inch closer, making it a two-point game.
With the final two minutes proving a tense ending, either team could have come out with a win. The Magic were able to tie the game with 10 seconds remaining, but after two free throws, they would be down for the last possession of the game, with the inability to finish the job.
The final score from Osceola Heritage Park was 121-119 in favor of the Memphis Hustle. Leading both teams in scoring was Osceola’s Lester Quinones with 28 points. Charlie Brown Jr. led Memphis in points with 21.
Osceola falls to 8-5 and will look to finish their last game of the year at Osceola Heritage Park with a win when they take on Memphis one final time on December 16th at 7 p.m.
