Americans Down Under: LaMelo Ball stars, RJ Hampton ejected

FILE – MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 08: RJ Hampton #14 of the New Zealand Breakers dribbles the ball in the preseason against Tyus Jones #21 of the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on October 08, 2019 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Donald Page/Getty Images/AFP

CAIRNS, Australia — LaMelo Ball had a career-high 24 points for his National Basketball League team in Australia on Saturday. R.J. Hampton didn’t last long in his.

Ball hit five 3-pointers and had eight assists and six rebounds to lead the Illawarra Hawks to a 101-91 win over the Cairns Taipans.

Hampton took exception to some close guarding by South East Melbourne guard Ben Madgen in the early stages of a 103-78 loss by his New Zealand Breakers to the Phoenix at Melbourne Arena.

The pair exchanged words as Madgen wound up on the floor after being fouled, while Hampton also clashed with John Roberson as the incident escalated. The 18-year-old American point guard picked up a technical foul and an unsportsmanlike foul for his part in the incident, seeing him ejected with barely four minutes gone.