The Austin Spurs, after just one day of rest following a trip from San Diego, faced the Memphis Hustle in a 3:00 p.m. game at the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park on Sunday. Despite difficulties early in the matchup, Austin managed to mount a comeback victory, showcasing the significance of resilience and determination. The Austin Spurs comeback victory was fueled by a dynamic second-half performance.
Early Struggles Put Austin Behind at Halftime
The tired Spurs found themselves trailing by nine points at the halftime break, as Memphis, though one of the league’s weaker teams, challenged Austin more than their record suggested. The first half saw Austin struggling to find rhythm, including a quiet start for guard Trey McGowens, who was just beginning to get into the game.
McGowens Sparks Revival With Offensive and Defensive Efforts
Coming off the bench, Trey McGowens had a slow first half, playing only 9 minutes and recording two rebounds but missing his single shot attempt. However, determined to stay engaged, McGowens rallied in the second half, scoring all 15 of his points in the final 24 minutes. He also contributed two assists and led the team in defensive plays with three steals and two blocks, vital to shifting momentum in Austin’s favor.
“I was really talking to myself on the sideline, ‘stay with it, stay with it,’”
McGowens said.
“Talking to myself, so just trying to stay with it. It’s a long game.”
Coach Jacob Chance attributed the turnaround largely to Austin’s defensive intensity and McGowens’ spark.
“We found a way there in the third just to get a little bit of momentum. And as always with us, it usually comes in (the) defensive end. Trey McGowens set a fuse for us and found some offense on the back of that.”
“Sometimes he goes too far, and he puts himself in tricky positions,”
Chance added.
“I’d take those guys every day of the week, that’s the guys we want to coach.”
Mangas Delivers Clutch Shot to Seal the Win
While McGowens’ energy ignited the Spurs’ second-half surge, it was guard Kyle Mangas who sunk the game-winning shot with just over a minute remaining, giving Austin a narrow lead. The play began with Mangas receiving the inbound pass and passing it to forward Harrison Ingram, who then fed it back to Mangas. He sank a contested 23-foot three-pointer, capitalizing on defensive pressure from Memphis. This well-executed set had been prepared in advance.
“That’s a play that we’ve had up our back pocket for a long time,”
Coach Chance explained.
“Credit to (Mangas) and (Ingram), they were able to execute it, and the way Memphis guarded us, they were able to punish them.”
Next Contest Awaits Against Oklahoma City Blue
The victory sets the Austin Spurs up for their upcoming game against the Oklahoma City Blue, the G League affiliate of the Thunder, scheduled for 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The Spurs will look to maintain their competitive momentum as they continue their campaign in the NBA G League.
