Greyhounds Race Past the Stars
West Kentucky CTC
Arkansas State Mid-South
West Kentucky CTC (7-13) 27 31 58
Arkansas State Mid-South (23-7) 34 52 86
Pts: Lamont Bell - 14
Reb: Ja'Quan Jones - 7
Ast: Ja'Quan Jones - 3
Pts: Christian White - 14
Reb: Christian White - 10
Ast: Jalen Lynn - 5
A stout defense and an explosive second-half led to an 86-58 Greyhound victory over the visiting West Kentucky Stars Monday in the final regular-season game for ASU Mid-South.
Although ASU Mid-South struggled from the arc the entire game, hitting a season-low 1-of-17 three-pointers on the night after hitting 27 three-pointers their last two games. However, the Greyhounds were able to build on a 34-37 halftime lead by holding the Stars scoreless for the first seven minutes of the second half, stretching the lead to 24 points at 51-27 before West Kentucky got loose for a layup. But Jalen Lynn found Jarius Sharp for a two-handed dunk less than 10 seconds later, and the Greyhounds cruised the rest of the way for the win.
Despite shooting their shooting woes from the arc, the Greyhounds still were able to shoot 44.6% for the game while holding the Stars to 36.9% shooting from the field and 23.1% from the three-point line. ASU Mid-South also dominated the boards, 52-35, collecting 19 offensive rebounds while forcing 23 West Kentucky turnovers.
All nine Greyhounds who suited up scored at least 4 points, with Christian White leading the way with his fifth double-double of the season, finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Jalen Lynn scored 13 points to go with a game-high 5 assists and 3 steals, Kevin Fulton netted 12, and Garret Finley and Zyon Patterson both chipped in 10 points each with Patterson also registering 3 blocked shots. Jarius Sharp, getting his first start for the injured starter Zach Byrd, finished with 8 points and 7 rebounds.
ASU Mid-South (23-7) now turns their attention to the Region 2 Basketball Tournament March 1 & 3 at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, where they take the #1 seed and play the fourth-seeded National Park College Nighthawks Sunday at 5:00pm. The Lady Greyhounds will play at 1:00pm against #1 seed North Arkansas College. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students but are good for all four semifinal games Sunday. Both Greyhound games are scheduled to be streamed on the ASU Mid-South channel at NJCAATV.com.