Greyhounds Race Past Rangers For First Win of Season

Day two of the annual Greyhound Tip-Off Classic found the Greyhounds collecting their first win of the 2023-2024 campaign with 72-61 win over NJCAA D1 opponent Northwest Mississippi.

"I was extremely proud for every single one of our guys being able to bounce back after a tough loss the night before. Coach Oakley does a good job with his guys over there and he always has them playing extremely hard, so it was a good test for us to see what we are made of. I was not happy with the lack of self control we had receiving three technicals. We have to be better at controlling our emotions, and I expect us to do better moving forward. That starts with me, and it's not who we are as a program. We will correct it and be better moving forward. At the end of the day, I just couldn't be happier for our guys playing hard for all 40 minutes. They deserve this win." Head coach Cody Hastings had to say after the game. 

The Greyhounds came out sloppy to start the game following an air ball and a couple turnovers before finally settling into the game as they would take the lead on a Samuel Chapin layup with 15:51 left in the first half, as they would not find themselves trailing again for the remainder of the contest. 

At the 10:04 mark in the first half, Jesse Washington took a pass from Darren Wallace after a steal, and got tangled up with Northwest Mississippi's Nolan Wells as both players fell to the ground. Northwest Wells received a Flagrant 1, and he and Jesse Washington received a double technical foul. Washington would step up to the free throw line where he would go 1 for 2 giving the Greyhounds a 22-15 lead halfway through the first half. The Greyhounds would eventually take a 39-29 lead heading into halftime.

The second half was not short of action, as it would get started early after Samuel Chapin follows his own miss to find a wide open Kyrin Dock at the top of the key to knock down the 3 to get the second half started. The Greyhounds would go on an 8-0 run capped by a beautifully executed alley-oop from Jesse Washington to Je'Marion Westbrook. The Greyhounds would go on to take a 23 point lead their biggest of the game with 9:52 left in the game.

At the 8:33 mark, both ASU Mid-South's Darren Wallace and Northwest Mississippi's Keanu Patrick would receive double technicals after Patrick's made three point basket. Jesse Washington would go on to pick up his second technical of the game for unsportsmanlike, knocking him out for the rest of this game and having to miss the Greyhounds next contest against Northeast Mississippi on Tuesday, November 7. This allowed Northwest Mississippi's Darren Dunn to step up to the free throw line where he would go 2-3 to make it a 63-48 Greyhound lead.

The Rangers would not go away easily as they would cut the lead to single digits under a minute remaining, turning the Greyhounds over multiple times giving themselves opportunites to get back in the game late. Je'Marion Westbrook would go to the free throw line with 38.5 seconds remaining and go 2-2 for the games final points.

The Greyhounds were led by Je'Marion Westbrook who collected his first double double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman guard Samuel Chapin also collected his first double double of the season after scoring 13 points and a team high 12 rebounds. Darren Wallace pitched in 14 points, Jesse Washington with 13, and Kyrin Dock scoring double digits the first time this season with 11 points and a team high 4 assists. 

With the win, the Greyhounds move to 1-1 on the year, and head coach Cody Hastings gets the first win of his head coaching career. The Greyhounds travel to Booneville, Mississippi on Tuesday, November 7 to face off against the Tigers of Northeast Mississippi. Tip-off is set for 7:30.