Lady Greyhounds Fall in Double Overtime
Double overtime proved to be too much for the Lady Greyhounds of Arkansas State University Mid-South last night as ASU Mid-South (5-12 overall) dropped a 101-92 decision to Northeast Mississippi at The Dog House.
By Chuck Livingston, Sports Editor, The Evening Times and ASU Mid-South Sports Information
Double overtime proved to be too much for the Lady Greyhounds of Arkansas State University Mid-South last night as ASU Mid-South (5-12 overall) dropped a 101-92 decision to Northeast Mississippi at The Dog House.
The Lady Greyhounds, still playing with just seven players on their active roster, got 29 points from freshman Samantha Jackson and 22 from Earle native LaCordia Williams, while Ja'Brisha Hawkins and Regina Garrett rounded out the home team's double-digit scorers with 14 points apiece.
In a tight contest that was bound for extra sessions, ASU Mid-South head coach, and West Memphis native, Sonja Tate pointed to two crucial occurrences that swung the game.
"Rebounding hurt us once again," explained Tate. "We also allowed too many points in a half. We gave up 48 points in the first half and that put us behind. Our girls are just tired."
Northeast Mississippi led 24-19 after the first quarter and 48-41 at halftime, but the Lady Greyhounds were able to turn the tables after the break.
ASU Mid-South clawed to within 57-56 after three quarters and the hosts hit 5 of their 6 free throws in the fourth quarter to even the score at 75-all at the end of the fourth.
The teams scored 10 points apiece in the first extra session to set the scene for a dramatic second overtime period.
That's where Northeast Mississippi finally found some separation, outscoring ASU Mid-South 14-7 to clinch the victory.
The Lady Greyhounds lost their second straight game at home that went down to the wire, which is a double-edged sword for Tate.
"We're fighting hard on the floor," said the first-year head coach. "We are young, and we just don't know how to win in these tough games quite yet."
ASU Mid-South also got seven points from Marion graduate Raven Morrow, four points from Kimberly Reed and two points from Kelsey Green.
ASU Mid-South hits the road on Thursday when they take on Northwest Mississippi, followed by a road test from Columbia State on Tuesday. The Lady Greyhounds will return home on February 1 when they host Dyersburg State for a 5 p.m. tipoff.