Greyhounds back in the win column

ASU Mid-South gets much-needed victory over Shorter College

From Arkansas State University Mid-South

asumidsouthsports.com

After a tough game last Thursday, the Greyhounds were back at home this week as they hosted Shorter College. The Greyhounds found themselves able to pull out a 74-71 at the end.

“I’m happy we were able to pull this out and hopefully get us back to how we were playing before the snow storm hit, but I’m not happy with the way we played at all. We were very lethargic and had no energy. We would get a little lead and get comfortable and stop doing what was working to get that lead, and next thing you know it’s a tie game again. We did a poor job executing on both ends of the floor. 20 plus offensive rebounds, 20 turnovers just a receipe for disaster. Credit to Shorter for taking advantage of all of our mishaps, but when it counted we made the big plays at the end. We have to be better Monday, and that starts tomorrow in practice.” comments from head coach Cody Hastings after the game. Freshman forward Davonta Tucker was a important piece for the Greyhounds taking a 39-31 lead into the half scoring 10 points, but it was his defense and rebounding that were so big. Sophomore guard Chris Martin and freshman guard Samuel Chapin came off the bench for the Greyhounds and were the sparks the Greyhounds needed for a little mojo. Martin would have 7 in the first half as Chapin would hit two 3’s to give him 6. The Greyhounds would jump out to a double digit lead, but they would find themselves stuck in another scoring drought.

Something that has plagued the Greyhounds multiple times this season. The two leading scorers for the Greyhounds would combine for just 4 points in the first half, all scored by Je’Marion Westbrook. It was the defense in the last 3 minutes that would help Mid-South claim that 8 point lead heading into the locker room.

As both teams were ready to start the 2nd half, Jesse Washington would shoot an administrative technical free throw for his first point of the game.

Just as the Greyhounds thought it might be time to start pulling away, the Bulldogs weren’t ready to quit just yet. They would come back from a 13 point deficit again to tie the game late. With 17 seconds remaining in regulation, it was Washington who found a cutting Westbrook for an alley-oop to give the Greyhounds the 73-71 lead. On the ensuing possession, Jesse Washington who did not have his best offensive game stepped up and took a charge with 5 seconds remaining to give the Greyhounds the ball. Washington would then get fouled on the inbound and step up to hit 1 of 2 which led to give the Greyhounds a 7471 win.

Je’Marion Westbrook would score 10 of his 14 points in the 2nd half, and would add 5 rebounds. Sophomore guards Chris Martin and Kyrin Dock both added 11 points, while Dock also added 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Davonta Tucker rounded out the double digit scoring adding 10 points, all of which came in the first half. Tucker also tied a game high of 8 rebounds.