Greyhounds Earn 1st Win In 2024

It was the first game in 18 days following the Christmas Holiday as the Greyhounds traveled to Ullin, Illinois for a rematch with the Shawnee Saints.

"We came out a little flat to begin the game, but we finally started to get our feet under us and settled into the game. Once that happened, we started executing to our standards and were able to play real solid team basketball and pull away with the win at the end. First game back from Christmas is always a little tricky, especially not playing in almost 3 weeks. The sooner you can knock the rust off the better, and we were able to knock it off pretty quickly. It was a good first game back, and a great test for us as we head into region play on Monday against an always scrappy SAU Tech team. We'll enjoy this one tonight, but we're right back to work tomorrow." head coach Cody Hastings had to say after the 75-68 win over the Saints.

The Saints started the game on a quick 7-0 run capped by a Linkin Lockhart pull up 3. Almost 3 minutes into the game Jesse Washington got the first points of the game for the Greyhounds on a pull up jumper. Both teams started to settle into the game from there, as the defense for the Greyhounds really started to settle in and start to slow the Saints down. Washington would go on to find fellow sophomore Chris Martin for a 3 as the Greyhounds would then tie the game up at 16. The Greyhounds would take their first lead of the game off a Washington 3 with just under 7 minutes remaining in the first half. Shawnee would quickly regain the lead after multiple offensive rebounds and put back opportunites pushing the lead back up to 3. Davonta Tucker would find former high school teammate Chris Martin for another 3 to give the Greyhounds another lead. From this point on, the Greyhounds would not trail for the rest of the game. Freshman Ian Rios would come in and make an immediate impact as he would knock down a layup and then a 3 to help push the lead to 10 before Osiris Mahr would connect on 2 free throws giving the Greyhounds a 37-29 advantage going into the half. 

The Greyhounds would pick up their scoring right where they left off as Je'Marion Westbrook would hit a cutting Tucker for a layup to get the second half started. Both teams would then start trading baskets back and forth for the first few possessions of the second half. The Greyhounds managed to keep the lead anywhere from 5-10 points for majority of the half, before the Saints started to get a little momentum and tie the game at 60 on a LaDricus Pittman 3 with just under 7 minutes remaining in the contest. Out of a timeout, Washington would find a cutting Westbrook to quickly give the Greyhounds back the lead. The Greyhounds defense would start to really tighten up, as they would only allow 8 points in the final 6:30 of the game. 

Mid-South was led by sophomore Jesse Washington with 22 points shooting 8 of 11 from the field. Chris Martin with his season high of 15 points, and Westbrook pitched in 14. Kyrin Dock had 8 points to go along with 6 assists. Davonta Tucker had 7 points with a game high 7 rebounds.

With the win, the Greyhounds improve to 9-7 on the season and 5-5 against NJCAA Divison 1 opponents. The Greyhounds open region 2 play on Monday, January 8th as they travel to East Camden, Arkansas to square off with SAU Tech. Tip-off is set for 7:30pm.