Greyhounds Flat Effort Gets Them Beat

Rivalry games always mean more when certain teams get together. That was the case Thursday night as the Greyhounds of ASU Mid-South traveled to Newport, Arkansas to take on the Aviators of ASU Newport. These two teams first met in December where the Greyhounds won 86-64, but the Aviators had different plans this time around.

"This is what happens when you don't show up to play every night in our region. Any team can beat any team on any giving night. That's exactly what happened tonight. We thought we could just show up and win, and that was not the case at all. Credit to coach Nutt and his guys cause they came out and took it from us. We got up 7 kind of early, and they closed the half out strong and then came out even stronger to start the half. I thought our guys did good of battling back and cutting the lead to 5, but we couldn't execute down the stretch to get any closer. We weren't focused, missed way too many layups and free throws as well as defensive rotations and rebounds. Again, credit to their guys for getting after our butt tonight." head coach Cody Hastings had to say after the game.

You could tell how much this game meant for both teams at the beginning as they were getting after it from the opening jump. The Greyhounds were finally able to take control for just a little bit as they pushed their lead to 7 in the first half before the Aviators came storming back. During that time, the Aviators switched up their defense to allow them to slow the Greyhounds down, and executed almost perfectly down at the offensive end getting what seemed like whatever they wanted. Eventually, ASU Newport would take  35-29 lead heading into the half.

The 2nd half wasn't much different, as ASU Newport would push their lead well into double digits before the Greyhounds needed to regroup. ASU Mid-South would battle back with big efforts from off the bench from Darren Wallace and Hayden Drumwright giving the Greyhounds a chance by cutting the lead to 5. It was the Aviators who always seemed to have an answer as they would come right back down to the other side of the floor and stretch the lead. In the end, the Aviators held off the Greyhounds attempt at a comeback earning a 74-68 win. Their first ever victory over ASU Mid-South. 

ASU Newport was led by Justin Gill's 23 points followed by Greg Fowlds 22 points. Nehemiah Reedus finished with 14.

ASU Mid-South was led by Jaxson Yancy's 15 points, followed by Darren Wallace and CJ Washington both finishing with 12. Hayden Drumwright finished with 8, and Davonta Tucker and Taylor Conner both finished with 6.

The Greyhounds drop to 11-11 on the year and 6-3 in Region play. ASU Mid-South will host long time enemy North Arkansas College Monday, January 27. Tip-off is set for 6:30.