Branham scores 30 as Magic beat Hustle in wire-to-wire win

Malaki Branham scored 30 points to lead the Osceola Magic to a 101-98 victory over the Memphis Hustle in a Tip-Off Tournament game Tuesday at the Landers Center in Southaven, Mississippi. The Magic led from start to finish, building a 19-point lead before holding off a late rally by the Hustle.

Ricky Council IV posted a double-double for Osceola with 24 points and 12 rebounds. JD Davison contributed 16 points and a team-high six assists, while Mike Sharavjamts added 12 points.

Eric Dixon led the Memphis Hustle with 20 points. Zach Cleveland recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Karim Lopez finished with 16 points and nine boards. Brendan Hausen scored 15 points for Memphis.

Osceola jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first two minutes and controlled the first half, taking a 61-43 advantage into the locker room. Memphis stormed back in the third quarter, outscoring the Magic 31-17 to cut the deficit to 78-74 heading into the final period.

The fourth quarter remained tight. After a layup by Zach Cleveland pulled the Hustle within two at 100-98 with 36 seconds remaining, Council made one of two free throws with 20 seconds left to extend the lead to three. Memphis had a chance to tie, but Jahmai Mashack missed two free throws with seven seconds on the clock, and his 26-foot jumper at the buzzer was off the mark.

Up next: Osceola hosts the Mexico City Capitanes in the Tip-Off Tournament Thursday at 7 p.m. ET. Memphis hosts the Oklahoma City Blue in a Tip-Off Tournament game Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.

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