Tas-Mania

Tas-Mania

Greyhounds notch tenth win against Rhodes

Sports Editor Less than two days after posting what may be the biggest win in program history, the Arkansas State University Mid-South Greyhounds refused to rest on their laurels.

ASU Mid-South (10-7 overall), winners of 10 of their past 14 outings and three straight, picked up a road win against Rhodes College junior varsity yesterday afternoon, rolling to a 76-52 decision.

“This was our fourth game in a row to come out with the defensive intensity that we want, and it is good to see us embrace this and begin to that create that habit,” said ASU Mid-South head coach Chris Parker.

A big reason that the Greyhounds hit double-digits in the win column was Wynne native Tasmania Jones. Jones notched a game-high 18 points, including 11 in the second half.

Jones missed nearly two months worth of action with a fractured foot bone before being fully cleared to return to action on Tuesday, January 12. His first game back was against Blue Mountain junior varsity on the same day.

The sophomore has hit for double-digits in all three of the games that heʼs appeared in his since his return.

“He (Jones) gives us a dimension that no one else does in that he uses his body so well and is very skilled,” explained Parker of his key sophomore. “He scores it so well and gives us an athletic rebounder.”

Since the post manʼs return to the lineup, ASU Mid-South is 3-0, highlighted by the schoolʼs first win against a ranked opponent last Saturday against North Arkansas. Jones hit for 16 points in that game.

ASU Mid-South led 43-26 at halftime against Rhodes, showing that the team was ready to play and not looking back on that home win against the Pioneers.

“We didnʼt shoot the ball well, but our defense was solid for the most part and we played fairly smart,” added Parker.

In addition to Jonesʼ gamehigh 18, sophomore guard Tevin Armstrong added 17 points and freshman Cameron Ricks hit for 15. Forrest City sophomore Trent Steen scored 9 points, Teverette Cain hit for 5, Chris Smith and JoeʼRandle Toliver posted 4 apiece, while Ladarius Mason and Jerell Bernard each scored 2 points.

Rhodes saw two player hit for double-digits as A. Nyawata scored 11 points and P. Dalton led the team with 17.

ASU Mid-South will return to action on Thursday when they travel to Senatobia, Mississippi to play Northwest Mississippi at 7 p.m. The Greyhounds return home on Saturday to host Faith Prep at 3 p.m. It will be a men only game.

By Chuck Livingston