Game Recap: Mouhamadou Gueye was a force in the Hornets' California Classic opener, finishing with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks.
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• Hornets 97, Spurs 65: Box Score | Game Detail
SACRAMENTO — A well-rounded effort from big man Mouhamadou Gueye and suffocating team defense spearheaded the Charlotte Hornets to a 97-65 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in a California Classic Summer League clash Saturday night at Golden 1 Center.
The Hornets (1-0) wasted no time striking a dominant tone in the Summer League opener for both clubs, jumping out to a 23-9 lead through one. The Spurs (0-1) were much more competitive in the second quarter, but Charlotte matched their 20-point tally in the period and then tacked on another two points to its advantage in the third on the way to a runaway victory. The Hornets limited San Antonio to 27.8% shooting and forced 14 turnovers.
Gueye paced the Hornets with 21 points, adding five rebounds, one assist, three blocks and two steals. Jake Stephens turned in 14 points, eight rebounds and one block. Matt Morgan delivered 13 points, three assists and one rebound. RaeQuan Battle totaled 12 points. Zavier Simpson and Nick Smith Jr. generated matching 10-point efforts while adding eight assists and seven rebounds, respectively, among their other contributions.
Rookie fourth overall pick Stephon Castle set the pace for the Spurs with 12 points, complementing them with six rebounds and three assists. Siddy Cissoko posted eight points, three rebounds and one assist. Nathan Mensah compiled seven points and 10 rebounds. Jamaree Bouyea and Tyson Ward matched Mensah’s scoring and also tallied eight and four rebounds, respectively.
The two teams return to action Sunday night, with the Hornets tangling with China and the Spurs facing the Sacramento Kings 1.
