Greyhounds split, go 1-1 last week

ASU Mid-South jockeying for playoff position at regular season winds down

It was a mixed bag for the ASU Men’s basketball team last week, as the Greyhounds went 1-1 as they look to improve their slot in the upcoming Region 2 postseason.

Greyhounds outlast Bulldogs

The Greyhounds made the quick drive from West Memphis to Little Rock Monday night for their second meeting of the year. It was short after the game tipped off that ASU Mid-South took control of the game and did not look back.

“What I’m extremely happy about tonight is that we were able to get everyone minutes and they were all able to score. That doesn’t happen often so when it does you just have to sit back and watch these guys as they’re smiling and having fun out there. I wasn’t to pleased with how we ended the game just giving up points, but we’ll talk about that tomorrow. We still have to stay focused and make sure we don’t start creating any bad habits. Just really proud of our entire group from our staff to every guy we have in our locker room. I really enjoy this group. They enjoy each other. It’s just special. I want this to last for as long as possible.” head coach Cody Hastings had to say after their 88-76 win over Shorter College.

Both teams started the game off sloppy with multiple turnovers and missed free throws, but it was CJ Washington layup from Jaxson Yancy that opened the scoring. Shorter would take their first and only lead with just over 17 minutes in the first half, and tie the game at 8 before Jaxson Yancy drained a 3 to give the Greyhounds the lead for good. ASU Mid-South would take their first double digit lead from an alley oop off backboard from Santana Spivey to Taylor Conner. It was the Greyhounds defense that got things going from them as they turned the Bulldogs over were about to get out in transition. The Greyhounds would take a demanding 4926 lead going into halftime.

ASU Mid-South would continue to dominate throughout the 2nd half pushing their lead to 28 at one point. For the final 5-6 minutes it was the Bulldogs who did everything they could to get back in the game, but there was just not enough time left as they would shoot a wide open layup as the time expired to give them 76.

ASU Mid-South moves to 16-11 overall and 10-3 in Region play. They are in a 3 way tie for first place with South Arkansas and North Arkansas.

5 players scored double figures for the Greyhounds. Jaxson Yancy with 14, CJ Washington 12 points and 9 rebounds, Darren Wallace and Taylor Conner both with 11, Jermaine Christopher with 10 and 8 assists. De’Shun Jackson provided 9 points and 8 rebounds off the bench. Santana Spivey 8, Davonta Tucker 6, Braylon Frazier 4, Hayden Drumwright 2, and Hugh McFarland with 1.

Stars Withstand Greyhounds Epic Comeback Attempt

In a battle between two of the three teams tied at the top of the region standings, South Arkansas was able to hold off ASU Mid-South from making a remarkable comeback. For the Stars, the win means they stay tied for first with North Arkansas. For the Greyhounds, they have more work to do.

In a battle between two of the three teams tied at the top of the region standings, South Arkansas was able to hold off ASU Mid-South from making a remarkable comeback. For the Stars, the win means they stay tied for first with North Arkansas. For the Greyhounds, they have more work to do.

“First and foremost, I am extremely proud of every single one of our guys for battling back the way they did to give us a chance to tie it at the end. Down 20 plus with just 10 or so minutes left, it would have been easy for them to just coast and get the game over with. Except, they fought and fought hard. We didn’t come ready to play for about the first 25 minutes of the game, and they made us pay. We allowed them to get comfortable, and they have guys that once they get comfortable they can really score the ball and we saw that first hand. We dug ourselves in a major hole, and we just couldn’t dig our way fully out. Some of these guys were disappointed in themselves for letting their teammates down and let them know about it in the locker room after. Biggest thing I want them to do is keep their head up, because we only have 3 guaranteed games left. We have to focus on National Park on Monday and get ready to start a new winning streak.” head coach Cody Hastings had to say after the game.

The Stars came out firing scoring 9 points in the first minute and a half thanks to back to back to back 3 point baskets before the Greyhounds had to take their first timeout of the game. ASU Mid-South would battle back getting the game within 3 points before South Arkansas went on a 17-3 run to give them a 17 point lead in the first half.

ASU Mid-South was able to cut into the deficit trailing the Stars 41-29 going into the half.

The second half started much like the first as the Stars would push their lead to 23 with just 11 minutes remaining in the game. It was at this moment where a steal and a layup from Hugh Mc-Farland got the Greyhounds going. ASU Mid-South started to bring the full court pressure and was able to force the Stars into multiple turnovers which resulted in quick baskets.

ASU Mid-South cut the lead to single digits at the 6:15 mark on a Jaxson Yancy layup. To spark their runs, the Greyhounds were using the free throw line and the 3 point line to really help them get back into the game. Just under 2 minutes remaining Jermaine Christopher would cut the South Arkansas lead to just 1 on an acrobatic layup. ASU Mid-South came up with a steal in the backcourt with 30 seconds remaining, as Jermaine Christopher found Jaxson Yancy in the corner to give the Greyhounds their first lead of the game, but the shot didn’t fall. The Greyhounds started the foul game and South Arkansas would step up and go perfect to seal the game. Hugh McFarland and Jermaine Christopher both got wide open looks to tie the game, but unfortunately for the home team those final two shots did not fall.

With the loss, the Greyhounds drop to 16-12 on the season and 10-4 in Region 2 play putting them in 3rd place with 2 more games remaining.

Jermaine Christopher and Darren Wallace both lead the Greyhounds in scoring with 19. Hugh McFarland scored 16 coming off the bench.

Greyhound freshman guard Hugh McFarland (10) from Memphis, Tennessee, drives in the paint.

Photos courtesy of ASU Mid-South