Former Greyhound Continuing Success in North Carolina

WILSON, N.C. – Mid-South Community College transfer Jake Veasley scored 12 of his game-high 35 points in overtime to lead Barton College over Emmanuel College in Conference Carolinas basketball action Monday, Dec. 1.

Veasley, who averaged 16.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game for the Greyhounds last season, collected his first double-double as a Bulldog in the dramatic double-overtime victory.

The Cross County native connected on 12 of 19 shots from the field, including a perfect 4-for-4 performance from behind the three-point line. He also sank 7 of 9 free throws and hauled in a team-high 10 rebounds in the Bulldogs' fourth win against three setbacks.

Veasley (Wynne, Ark.), connected on his fourth 3-pointer with less than 90 seconds left in the second overtime period to give his team a 96-92 advantage. He also connected on 3 of 4 free throws in the final 40 seconds to keep the Bulldogs on top.

The junior started his Barton College career with a 25-point performance against the University of South Carolina Aiken before setting new standards with his effort against Emmanuel College.

Veasley, who has started two of the Bulldogs' first seven games, is averaging 22.1 minutes, 13.4 points, and 4.4 rebounds per contest overall. He is hitting two-point field goals at a 46.8 percent clip and three-pointers at 45.8 percent. Veasley has connected on 78.1 percent of his free throw attempts.

The former Greyhound, who started his collegiate career at Williams Baptist College in Walnut Ridge, earned a Barton scholarship that includes tuition, fees, books, and room and board.

"Jake was our team captain, and he came every day to work," said MSCC Greyhounds' Coach Chris Parker. "He was just a model student-athlete. He is the epitome of what we hope all of our student-athletes will be."

"The Barton College coaches told me Jake was their No. 1 priority for this recruiting class, and now that they have him, they feel like they have the pieces in place to make a run at another national championship."

BC has won its conference three of the last six years and captured an NCAA Division II National Championship in 2007. The Bulldogs, who like the Greyhounds play their home games in the "Dog House," are 2-0 in the conference play. They earned a No. 10 ranking in the NCAA Division II College Sports Information Directors of America Southeast Region poll in late November.

For information about MSCC's National Junior College Athletic Association basketball program, other student activities, or academic/technical education programs, call (870) 733-6728, visit the campus at 2000 West Broadway in West Memphis, email admissions@midsouthcc.edu or see the college's website at www.midsouthcc.edu.