Greyhounds Overcome Slow Start

The ASU Mid-South Greyhounds would go 2-0 as they defeated Allen County 90-72 in the second day of National Park College's Holiday Classic.

Head coach Cody Hastings had to say this after the game, "I wasn't happy with how we started off so sluggish, but we finally settled into the game and started playing our brand of basketball. Our guys did what we set out to do and coming here and going 2-0 heading into the Christmas break on a little winning streak. These guys deserve this. We've had a few close calls where the ball just didn't bounce our way, although some of the scores don't show it, the games were a lot closer than that. So to play in a high competitive game last night, and to come out the way we did and bounce back, I couldn't be more proud and happy for these guys."

The Red Devils of Allen County would start the game off on an 8-1 run within the first 3 minutes of the game, but Kyrin Dock would hit a dribble pull up for the Greyhounds first field goal make. The defense would soon settle in for the Greyhounds, as the Greyhounds would go on a 10-3 run to tie the game at 11 off a Jesse Washington 3 pointer. ASU Mid-South would regain the lead after it was just 1-0 on a Jesse Washington layup to give the Greyhounds a 16-14 lead as they would not trail again for the rest of the game. Darren Wallace would get an offensive rebound and get the layup to go to give the Greyhounds the first double digit lead of the game with a 30-19 advantage. The Greyhounds would stay in attack mode as they would take a 38-21 lead with 5 minutes remaining in the first half on a Je'Marion Westbrook layup. The Red Devils continued to battle as Randy Crosby would hit a 3 and get fouled, to where he would complete the rare 4 point play cutting the Greyhounds lead to 14. The Greyhounds would overcome their slow start as they would take a 48-35 lead into the half. 

The second half would get off to a hot start as both teams would come out trading baskets in the first couple minutes of the game, as Je'Marion Westbrook would score a quick 9 points of his own to help give the Greyhounds an 61-41 lead which would be the biggest lead of the game. The Red Devils would only be able to cut the lead to 15 as the Greyhounds would always have an answer keeping the scoring between the 15-20 point range in the second half not allowing Allen County to get much if any momentum to make a final push in the game. 

Just like in day one of the Holiday Classic, Je'Marion Westbrook and Jesse Washington would lead the way for the Greyhounds. Westbrook would finish the game with 27 points and 11 rebounds. Washington would had 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists. Darren Wallace also pitched in 17 points.

They Greyhounds (8-7) are now off for 10 days before reporting back from Christmas break. The next game for the Greyhounds will be on January 4th, as they travel to Ullin, Illinois to face off against Shawnee in a rematch of a game played on November 30th which saw the Greyhounds taking a 80-72 win at The Dog House.