McFarland’s Triple-Double Powers Greyhounds Past North Arkansas in Shootout
West Memphis, ARK -
Hugh McFarland stuffed the stat sheet with a triple-double as ASU Mid-South outlasted North Arkansas College 111–95 in a high-scoring conference clash, showcasing resilience after a slow start and balance up and down the lineup.
For the second straight game, the Greyhounds' opponent began the contest with an administrative technical foul, allowing ASU Mid-South to take a 1–0 lead at the free-throw line before the opening tip. North Arkansas quickly shrugged it off, jumping out to a 12–4 advantage within the first six minutes of play.
ASU Mid-South gradually settled in, using defensive stops and trips to the foul line to claw back. The Greyhounds took their first lead with 6:34 remaining in the first half on a pair of Phillip Tillman free throws. With 3:50 left before the break, the game was knotted at a single point before ASU Mid-South closed the half on a decisive 19–4 run, seizing momentum heading into the locker room.
Both teams came out of halftime trading baskets, but it was the Greyhounds who landed the first major punch. ASU Mid-South pushed its lead to 25 points just four minutes into the second half. To their credit, the Pioneers refused to fold, repeatedly chipping away and cutting the deficit to as close as 11 points on multiple occasions. Each time, the Greyhounds answered with timely shots and poised execution, keeping North Arkansas just out of arm's length down the stretch.
McFarland led the way for ASU Mid-South with a triple-double performance of 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, controlling the tempo and making plays on both ends of the floor. Tillman paced all scorers with 25 points and added seven rebounds, while Taylor Conner poured in a career-high 21. Jaxson Yancy narrowly missed a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds, Dejavius Johnson chipped in 10 points, and Michael Stewart provided a spark off the bench with nine.
North Arkansas College was led by Marquis Burse, who scored 20 points off the bench. KJ Nichols and Na'Kylan Starks each finished with 16 points, while Jaxon Berry and Javian Webber added 12 apiece.
After the game, the ASU Mid-South head coach Cody Hastings praised his team's response and composure.
"I was really excited about the way our guys responded after a slow start," he said. "We didn't panic, we stayed together, and we had guys step up and make winning plays when it mattered most. That's a really good team and they are extremely well coached. We know when we go to their place in a couple weeks it's not going to be easy. It was good to protect home court, and have to get ready for another top team in the conference coming in on Wednesday."
With the victory, ASU Mid-South improves to 12–5 overall and 5–1 in conference play. The Greyhounds return home on Wednesday, January 14, to host South Arkansas College, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
