Pioneers Out Race Greyhounds

In their first game in 2 weeks, the Greyhounds would welcome the Pioneers of North Arkansas College into the Dog House for a region 2 contest. The Pioneers would end up edging out the Greyhounds late to take home a narrow victory.

Head coach Cody Hastings had some brief comments after the loss on Thursday night. "I have to be better and get these guys more prepared. I thought we had a good plan going in, but they find ways to get the job done and we did not. Coach Hunter had his guys ready to go and I felt they just wanted it more than we did. They out toughed us all night. I was proud of our guys for their continous fight, but we didn't execute anywhere we need to for us to win close games. Again, that's on me for not getting us ready to go and getting our guys in the right spots at the right times. I'll be better."

The Greyhounds got off to a good start after scoring on their opening two possessions followed by a Kyrin Dock and one layup, followed by a technical foul on North Ark's Mat Jones which allowed Jesse Washington to shoot two free throws and hit them both giving the Greyhounds a quick 9-4 lead a minute and a half into the game. Jones would respond after the technical scoring 12 points in the first half for the Pioneers doing a little bit of everything, as well as sophomore guard Jordyn Turner who also had 12 for the Pioneers in the first half. Although the Greyhounds got off to a fast start, they would start to struggle offensively as they would keep missing open opportunites. Washington led the Greyhounds at the half with 9 points, followed by Kyrin Dock and Je'Marion Westbrook with 7 a piece. The Pioneers would take a 42-34 lead heading into the half, getting up by as much as 13.

The Greyhounds found themselves in a dog fight in the second half, and again once finding themselves down by as many as 13 they would keep continuing to battle back. Point guard Kyrin Dock really set the tone early for the Hounds, then Washington and Westbrook would both follow his lead and get themselves going. The Greyhounds would come back and tie the game twice in the second half, the last time being 72-72 on a pair of Kyrin Dock free throws. The Pioneers scored on 4 of their final 5 possessions, while the Greyhounds were called for two illegal screens in the final minutes for costly turnovers. North Ark's I'Ryan Allen hit the dagger 3 to put the Pioneers up 4 with 30 seconds remaining.

The Greyhounds were led by Jesse Washington's 21 points 10 rebounds, followed by Je'Marion Westbrook's 20 points and Kyrin Dock's 15 points and 6 assists.

ASU Mid-South welcomes Shorter College into the Dog House Saturday, January 27 for a 1:00 tip-off time.