Greyhounds Use Big Second Half for Win

The Greyhounds exploded for 53 second-half points to take an 83-72 victory over the UA Cossatot Colts Saturday at the University of Arkansas Cossatot Bank of Lockesburg Gymnasium in Lockesburg, Arkansas.

The win keeps ASU Mid-South undefeated in NJCAA Region 2 play as they continue to adjust to a changing lineup due to injuries. Saturday's game vs. UA Cossatot was their first game of the season for all 11 student-athletes to begin a game, although it ended with an injury to returner Jeremiah Jones that will keep the second-year freshman out of the lineup for at least the next game.

The game featured last season's Region Co-Players of the Year as the Colts' Terry Anderson went against the Greyhounds' Sam Smith, and the matchup did not disappoint. ASU Mid-South was slow to warm up off the bus as UA Cossatot took a 35-30 lead into halftime. But the Greyhounds opened the second half with a 12-2 run to lead 42-37, although the Colts came back just a few minutes later to lead 51-50 until a Jailen Anderson three-pointer put the Greyhounds in front for good at 55-52. The Greyhounds then led by as many as 17 points before the Colts finished the game on a 14-8 run for the final count.

ASU Mid-South shot an outstanding 66.0% from the field and a solid 33.3% from the three-point line while holding UA Cossatot to 41.8% shooting from the field, 26.3% from the three-point line and edging the Colts 35-32 on the boards.

Sam Smith led ASU Mid-South with 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting including hitting his lone three-pointer to go with a team-high 6 rebounds while UA Cossatot's Terry Anderson finished with 24 points on 8-of-20 shooting and 8 boards. Braxtyn McCuien scored 12 points for the Greyhounds with O.J. Marrs hitting for 9 points and Jailen Anderson and Mekhai Washington chipping in 8 points each. 

The Greyhounds (7-7, 3-0) are in the midst of a stretch of 7 games in 12 days and next host Central Baptist JV Monday and St. Louis Community College Wednesday before traveling to SAU Tech Thursday and returning home to host North Arkansas College Saturday. Greyhound fans can follow the latest news on the athletic department's Twitter account: @ASU_MidSouth.

Standings current as of 1/26/2022