Greyhounds Back In Win Column Defeating North Arkansas College

A game against two of the longest standing teams in Arkansas Junior College basketball did not disappoint in West Memphis Monday night. These two teams put on an offensive clinic scoring 193 combined points in an ASU Mid-South win.

"Wow, what a game that was. Our guys really came out and played their butt off. After our last game, we spent the last three days talking about the effort that we need on a day to day basis and these guys practiced that way, and then came out today and played the way we needed to. Now we just have to play with that same consistency moving forward, and these guys are hungry to do that. We had six guys score in double figures, which I don't believe that's happened any time in my six years here. These guys played great team basketball and it showed. We finished with 23 assists on 31 made field goals. Incredible job by our guys. Davonta with a huge 21 point 14 rebound double double, and Hayden coming off the bench in the first half going 4 for 4 from the perimeter was outstanding. We have some things to work on cause they sure started to attack us in the post, so we have to figure out a way to slow teams down. Credit to coach Hunter and his team cause they found what was working and made us pay for it. There's a reason they are at the top of the league. They are coached well and they are a talented group. We'll enjoy this for the rest of tonight and start getting ready for Phillips County tomorrow." head coach Cody Hastings had to say after the game.

ASU Mid-South came out firing as they would jump out to a quick 8-0 lead thanks to a perfect 3 for 3 from field. Jaxson Yancy started things off connecting on his first of four 3 pointers, followed by Darren Wallace's first 3 of the game and a mid range jumper from CJ Washington. North Arkansas would attack the bigs early and often as starting big man CJ Washington picked up 2 fouls in the first 3 minutes of play keeping him on the bench for the remainder of the first half. Each team would continue to find their stride offensively as ASU Mid-South would take a 56-44 after the end of a very entertaining first half. 

ASU Mid-South would push the lead to 17 early in the 2nd half, but the Pioneers had plans of making their comeback start. That's exactly what happened as North Arkansas would take their first lead of the game on a basket from Gustavo Escamilla to give the Pioneers a 87-86 lead with 2:20 remaining in the game, but the lead only last 13 seconds as Darren Wallace went to the free throw line and gave the Greyhounds back the 1 point lead. ASU Mid-South would start making the extra effort plays as they would get two offensive rebounds in one possession that led to a Davonta Tucker and 1 that would push their lead to 5 with 38 seconds remaining. ASU Mid-South would go on to secure the win at the free throw line down the stretch.

North Arkansas was led by Jaxon Berry who scored a game high 36 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Nicholas Huff (17) and Gustavo Escamilla (16) rounded out the double figure scoring for the Pioneers.

ASU Mid-South was led by Davonta Tucker's double double scoring 21 points and grabbing a game high 14 rebounds. Jaxson Yancy and Darren Wallace both finished with 14 points and 4 rebounds. Taylor Conner, Hayden Drumwright and Jermaine Christopher all scored 12. Christopher also had a game high 9 assists. Santana Spivey scored 9 off the bench.

The Greyhounds move to 12-11 on the year and 7-3 in Region 2 play. They travel to Helena West-Helena Thursday, January 30 to face Phillips County. Tip-off is set for 5:30.