Greyhounds Rally from Early Deficit to Edge National Park in Thriller

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Resilience defined the night for ASU Mid-South, as the Greyhounds erased an early double-digit deficit to secure a hard-fought victory over National Park College in a back-and-forth battle that came down to the final seconds.

National Park wasted no time setting the tone, jumping out to a 19-9 lead and forcing an early timeout from ASU Mid-South. The Nighthawks were sharp on both ends in the opening minutes, capitalizing on quick scoring runs and defensive pressure to put the Greyhounds on their heels.

Coming out of the timeout, however, ASU Mid-South began to settle in. The Greyhounds tightened up defensively and found a rhythm offensively, gradually chipping away at the deficit. What once was a 10-point gap quickly evaporated as ASU Mid-South surged back into contention.

By the closing moments of the first half, the momentum had fully shifted. After battling back and forth with the Nighthawks, Michael Stewart delivered a key bucket just before the buzzer, giving ASU Mid-South a 52-50 advantage heading into the break.

The second half mirrored the intensity of the first, as neither team could create much separation. Each possession grew in importance, with both squads trading baskets in a tightly contested affair that kept fans on edge.

As the clock wound down, the game hung in the balance. With ASU Mid-South holding a narrow lead, Braylon Frazier went to the free throw line for a one-and-one opportunity. After converting the first, Frazier missed the second, but Hugh McFarland made the hustle play of the night—crashing the lane to secure a crucial offensive rebound.

McFarland was immediately fouled and calmly knocked down his free throws, extending the Greyhound lead to five with just 11 seconds remaining. That sequence proved to be the dagger, sealing the comeback victory for ASU Mid-South.

National Park was led by Pete Moe, who posted an impressive double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Kahraie Loggins added 21 points, while Addison Shelton contributed 18 points, knocking down five shots from beyond the arc. Jeremy Dixed anchored the paint with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

For ASU Mid-South, Phillip Tillman delivered a dominant all-around performance, finishing with a game-high 26 points to go along with nine rebounds, four assists, and five steals. Taylor Conner provided a major spark off the bench with 18 points and five offensive rebounds, giving the Greyhounds second-chance opportunities when they needed them most.

Jaxson Yancy added 14 points, connecting on four three-pointers, while Randy Emerson made a strong return to National Park, finishing with 13 points.

After the game, Greyhounds' head coach Cody Hastings praised his team's toughness and ability to respond under pressure.

"These guys continue to just be resilient and continue to just find ways to get the job done," he said. "We have guys every night that continue to step up. It's always someone different every night, and tonight Taylor Conner is the big reason we're walking away with a win. Hats off to him, and our team. I can't wait for Saturday and to celebrate our sophomores. They deserve it."

With the win, ASU Mid-South improves to 21-7 overall and 14-3 in region play, continuing to build momentum as postseason play approaches.

The Greyhounds will return home on Saturday, February 21, as they host UA Cossatot for Sophomore Night. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m., and fans are encouraged to arrive early as ASU Mid-South honors its sophomore class prior to the game.