Greyhounds Get Big Win at SAU Tech

The Greyhounds battled from a halftime deficit and hit big shots at the end to capture the season sweep with a tough 80-75 victory over the SAU Tech Rockets Thursday night in East Camden, Arkansas. ASU Mid-South had defeated the Rockets 70-52 on January 19 at The Dog House, but needed a much tougher mindset to get the win on the Rockets' home floor.

Playing from behind the entire first half, Jailen Anderson hit a three-pointer with 3 seconds left to cut the Rockets' lead to 39-33 at the half. Anderson then started the comeback by hitting another three-pointer to begin the second-half scoring, and the Greyhounds went on a 7-2 run to get back in the game. Jesse Washington hit a short jumper in the lane to give ASU Mid-South its first lead, 45-44, at the 15:10 mark, and after a Rocket score, Braxtyn McCuien's layup a minute later would give the Greyhounds a lead they would keep until a short jumper in the paint gave SAU Tech a 69-68 lead with 2:11 left to play.

But the Greyhounds would take back the lead on the following possession as Kyrin Dock, playing in his first game since an injury January 7, hit a crafty reverse layup to give ASU Mid-South a 70-69 lead with 1:50 remaining. The Greyhounds would force a turnover on the Rockets' next possession, and with 1:14 on the clock, Jailen Anderson took a pass from Dock and buried his fourth three-pointer of the game to give ASU Mid-South a 73-69 lead. The Rockets would narrow the lead to 73-71 with a chance to tie or take the lead inside a minute to play, but the Greyhound defense forced another turnover and SAU Tech had to foul to stop the clock. But despite the Rockets scoring a couple of quick baskets, the Greyhounds hit 7-of-8 free throws down the stretch to preserve the victory.

The Greyhounds shot an outstanding 56.5% from the field and 10-of-21 (47.6%) from the three-point line while the Rockets made 49.2% of their field goals and 6-of-18 (33.3%) from the arc. SAU Tech took the rebounding battle 33-27 thanks to 11 offensive rebounds, and turned it over just 9 times to the Greyhounds' 12, but the Greyhounds took advantage of 18-of-29 free throws (62.1%), including 7-of-8 in the last minute of play, to just 7-of-15 (46.7%) from the Rockets.

Jailen Anderson led all scorers with 24 points and a team-high 4 assists while Jesse Washington hit for 18 and Braxtyn McCuien scored 17 points to go with a team-high 7 rebounds. The win gives ASU Mid-South sole possession of first place in NJCAA Region 2 play with three region games remaining.

The Greyhounds (17-8, 5-2) return to The Dog House Saturday to host the UA Cossatot Colts with the women tipping off the action at 2:00pm followed by the men at 4:00pm.

2022-23 NJCAA Region 2 Men's Basketball Standings