Greyhounds Outlast Rockets

The Greyhounds of ASU Mid-South traveled to East Camden to take on the Rockets of SAU Tech to begin Region 2 play. When the final buzzer went off, the Greyhounds had claimed a 78-71 victory.

"We didn't play with the consistency that we've been talking about daily, and it almost costed us. We have to stop making it hard on ourselves at the end of games. They play extremely hard, and when we took our foot off the gas just even a little bit, they got themselves right back into it. Just a sign of a really well coached team. We have to be better, and play for 40 minutes moving forward if we want to accomplish what we want to accomplish. Other than that, I'm proud of these guys for just finding a way to win and putting us 1-0 in Region. We'll get right back to it tomorrow, and get ready for a very talented team in National Park coming to The Dog House Thursday," head coach Cody Hastings had to say after the game.

Sophomore Kyrin Dock would get the scoring started as he would hit a step back 3 as the shot clock of the opening possession was winding down. SAU Tech would take their first lead of the game on a Christian Barnett layup, but it wouldn't last long as Jesse Washington would put the Greyhounds back on top on their following possession. Neither team could gain any separation within the first 13 minutes of the game as both teams were trading baskets. The largest lead was 6 held by the Greyhounds after a Jesse Washington 3. Mid-South would take their first double digit lead of the half on a Davonta Tucker layup giving the Greyhounds an 30-19 advantage with 4 minutes left in the 1st half. ASU Mid-South would lead SAU Tech going into the half by a score of 39-29.

The Rockets would come out ready for take off as they would open up the 2nd half on a 5-0 run in just the first minute and a half. After just a 1 point in the first half, Je'Marion Westbrook would get his hot second half off to a good start after fellow sophomore Kyrin Dock would find him at the free throw line for a jump shot for his first field goal of the game. The Greyhounds would manage to get their lead back up to 10 by the 14 minute mark in the second half, all while putting on a fouling clinic averaging a foul a minute to start the half. The Rockets would tie the game at 53 with 8:24 remaining on a Christian Blair floater in the middle of the game. This was the first tie since within the first 5 minutes of the game, but on the ensuing Greyhounds possession Jesse Washington would connect on another 3 point shot giving the Greyhounds back the lead. From then on out, the Rockets would only get as close as 1 as the Greyhounds would hold onto the lead for good sparked by Je'Marion Westbrook.

Westbrook led the Greyhounds with 22 points and a game high 13 rebounds for his 6th double double of the season. Jesse Washington also had a double double scoring 20 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Chris Martin and Darren Wallace both scored 9, Davonta Tucker with 7, and Kyrin Dock with 6 points and 7 assists. 

The Greyhounds host #3 National Park College on Thursday, January 11th at The Dog House in West Memphis. Tip-off is set for 6:30.