The Mid City Magic guard hit a late corner three-pointer to respond to a 14-point fourth-quarter comeback from the St Kilda Saints on Saturday.
It gave the Magic their final lead, as they ran out 94-91 winners in another classic between the two teams.
The win leaves the Magic clear atop the men’s club basketball table with a 6-1 record, while the Saints slump to 3-4.
However, this loss was by means a disgrace for the Saints, and it shows they are right there with the contenders.
Hughan was instrumental for the Magic.
The guard delivered 36 points, continuing a season which must have him among the leading MVP candidates.
He was supported by Benji Freeman, who had 21 points, while Lawson Morris-Whyte and Liam Aston had 24 and 23 respectively for the Saints.
It was the Saints who started better, as is so often the case between this pair.
That duo, alongside James Ross (17 points), were key in helping them out to a 30-23 lead at quarter-time.
The Saints offence dried up early in the second quarter though, while Freeman and Tom Willmott (10 points) helped propel the Magic to a 56-42 halftime lead.
That widened to 72-51 midway through the third quarter, as the Magic were seemingly in control and cruising.
Aston scored six of eight consecutive Saints points to spark a comeback, though, and they closed to 78-65 at the final break.
The Magic seemed to regather themselves, and held an 86-72 lead with six minutes to play.
At that point, the Saints made their move.
Ben Foote ignited the run with a three-pointer, before Morris-Whyte showed his range, stepping out to hit back-to-back triples.
An Aston three-pointer pulled them closer shortly afterwards, before a run of free throws edged them into a 90-89 lead.
But Hughan, as he so often does, responded by drilling one from the right corner, giving the Magic a two-point lead they would not relinquish.
The City Rise Bombers also had a tight one, against Varsity, taking a 96-92 overtime win.
Varsity led by three with five seconds to go, when Olly Smith was fouled on a three-point attempt.
Smith (16 points) drained all three free throws, taking the game to overtime, where a pair of three-pointers from Sam Senior (11 points) helped the Bombers pull away.
Maika Shortland led the Bombers with 22 points, while Luke Thompson had 23 for Varsity.
The Mid City Lions beat the Andy Bay Falcons 108-76 in the other game.
Christopher Christof had 28 points for the Lions.
