ASU Mid-South women’s hoops on a hot streak

Lady Greyhounds tally third win in a row

sports@theeveningtimes.com

What a difference a year makes.

After a season that ended prematurely due to a lack of eligible players last year, the ASU Mid-South women’s basketball program has returned with a vengeance and currently sport a 3-1 record.

Since dropping the season opener on Nov. 1, a 73-62 road loss to Jackson State Community College, the Lady Greyhounds have been on a roll.

The hot streak started over the weekend. Led by a pair of double-doubles from Aaliyah Lee and Cierra Penn, the Lady Greyhounds captured their first win of the season with a 77-65 victory over St.

Louis Community College of the first day of the Lady Greyhound Classic last Friday at The Dog House.

Lee finished the game with team high’s of 20 points and 14 rebounds while Penn notched 13 points and 11 boards. Adrianne Chambers also came through big and barely missed a double-double with 17 points and 9 rebounds while Ashley Pegue chipped in with 13 points.

St. Louis took a 32-28 lead at the half, but the Lady Greyhound defense came alive in the second half, limiting the visitors to 35.7% shooting for the game as they exploded for 49 second-half points.

Then on Saturday, the Lady Greyhounds battled back to tie Southwest Tennessee Community College in regulation and then continued their momentum in overtime for their second consecutive victory, taking a 70-68 win in the final game of the Lady Greyhound Classic.

Leading 33-29 at the half, ASU Mid-South found themselves trailing 52-51 entering the fourth period and had to battle back to tie the score in regulation.

Southwest Tennessee then scored a quick basket off the tipoff in the first seconds of overtime, but on the next possession Chambers answered with a short jumper just outside the paint to tie it back up. The Lady Saluqi’s would score again on the very next possession, but that would be their final points of the game.

Lee found Alindavia Lockett under the basket for a layup to tie it back up, and with 59 seconds remaining Ashley Pegue drove the lane for a basket that proved to be the deciding score. Lee led all scorers and rebounders with her second consecutive double-double, finishing with 22 points and 14 rebounds while Pegue also netted 22 points while shooting 6-of-12 from the 3-point line. Penn scored 14 points to go with 7 rebounds, and Chambers and Lockett both finished with 6 points and 9 and 8 rebounds, respectively.

The homecourt continued to benefit the Lady Greyhounds on Monday. ASU Mid-South jumped out to a lead in the first quarter and then held off a furious rally at the end to earn their third win in a row with a 67-61 decision over Northwest Mississippi Community College.

With a 32-27 halftime lead, ASU Mid-South exploded for 24 third-quarter points to lead 56-40 entering the final period. But the Lady Rangers would not go quietly, mounting a furious rally in a comeback bid only to be held off by the Lady Greyhounds at the end.

Both teams were cold shooting the ball as the Lady Greyhounds shot 29.9% from the field and Northwest Mississippi was only slightly better at 32.5% from the field. The Lady Greyhounds controlled the boards, 60-51, but committed 18 turnovers to only 12 for the visitors.

Chambers led ASU Mid-South with 21 points and 12 rebounds, her first double- double of the season, and Penn also turned in a double-double with 12 and 11 and a team-high 4 assists. Pegue chipped in 11 points as well.

The Lady Greyhounds now have ten days off before hosting Itawamba Community College next Thursday, Nov. 21, at The Dog House. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

and will be followed by the men’s game at 7:30 p.m.