SOUTHAVEN, Miss. (Interstat) — The Stockton Kings withstood a furious second-half rally from the Memphis Hustle to secure a 117-113 victory in a G League contest Friday night at DeSoto Civic Center.

Stockton, which improved to 23-11, appeared to be running away with the game after a blistering first quarter. The Kings shot 52.6% from the field and connected on 7 of 14 three-point attempts to open a 40-21 lead. Dexter Dennis and DaQuan Jeffries each scored 11 points in the period, setting an early tone of offensive efficiency that Memphis could not match.

The Hustle, now 11-24, began to chip away in the second and third quarters. After being held to 21 points in the opening frame, Memphis scored 27 in the second and erupted for 31 in the third, cutting a 19-point deficit down to just four points entering the final period. A driving force behind the comeback was guard DeJon Jarreau, who scored 15 of his game-high 29 points in the second half, and forward Nate Hinton, who finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds.

Despite Memphis dominating the glass with a 58-42 rebounding advantage, including 22 offensive boards, Stockton’s superior shooting proved decisive. The Kings shot 48.1% from the field and 45% from three-point range, making 18 of 40 attempts. Memphis, by contrast, managed only 40.2% shooting overall and was just 8 of 31 from beyond the arc.

The most important part of the game came in the final minutes as Memphis threatened to complete its comeback. After a Jarreau driving jumper cut Stockton’s lead to 111-109 with 1:36 remaining, the Kings responded on the ensuing possession. Following a timeout, Jeffries sank a critical 26-foot three-pointer with 14 seconds left to push the lead back to five points. Memphis could get no closer than three points the rest of the way, as Stockton made just enough free throws to seal the win.

Isaiah Stevens was the catalyst for Stockton, directing the offense with 22 points and 10 assists in 39 minutes. Dennis added 26 points, while Jeffries contributed 20 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. For Memphis, Jarreau’s 29-point, six-rebound, five-assist effort led the way, supported by Hinton’s double-double and 23 points from center Eric Dixon of Abington, Pennsylvania.

The game’s outcome defied a late surge by the Hustle, who scored 34 points in the fourth quarter but could not overcome their early deficit or Stockton’s efficient offense, which posted an offensive rating of 119.3 points per 100 possessions.

Stockton next hosts Oklahoma City on Sunday. Memphis travels to face Austin on Sunday.