The National Park College Nighthawk men’s and women’s basketball teams each picked
up wins over Jackson State Community College Tuesday at “The Kettle” in Hot Springs.
In the Nighthawk women’s home opener, National Park College erupted to an 11-0 run
to start the game, but an 8-3 Green Jay run cut the lead to six points at the end
of the first quarter. In the second quarter, four three-pointers helped the Green
Jays surge to a 25-24 halftime lead.
In the third quarter, the Nighthawks (2-5) found success from the charity stripe,
led by nine free throws from sophomore Bailey Womack (Fountain Lake). Trailing by
two points entering the fourth quarter, National park College rallied behind four
three-pointers from sophomore Hailee Crosby (Mountain Pine) and a nine-point effort
from sophomore Faith Bratton (Jessieville) to down the Green Jays, 62-53.
Bratton led the Nighthawks with 15 points in the win. Crosby, Womack and freshman
Logan Keener (Lake Hamilton) added 14, 12 and 10 points, respectively.
In the nightcap, the National Park College men’s basketball outlasted Jackson State
Community College, 85-75, to improve to 9-0.
Fueled by 12 quick first-half points from freshman Patrick Greene (Little Rock Mills),
the Nighthawks (9-0) kept pace with hot shooting from Jackson State Community College.
However, early foul trouble kept the Nighthawks’ top shooter, Greene, off the floor
for most of the half. A halftime buzzer-beater from freshman DJ Martin (Pine Bluff)
gave the Nighthawks a 34-33 lead at the break.
In the second half, the Nighthawks rallied behind 14 and 10-point efforts from Greene
and freshman David Jagers (Mayflower), while capitalizing on Green Jay foul trouble
to
keep its undefeated season alive.
Greene led the Nighthawks in scoring with 26 points. Sophomores Seth Duke (Gravette),
KJ Corder (Hot Springs) and Braylon Steen (Bryant) amassed 13, 12 and 11 points, respectively,
with Jagers adding 10 in the win.
The Nighthawk women return to action Thursday, January 10 at Rhema Bible College
in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The Nighthawk men travel to North Arkansas College on January
12 to take on the Pioneers. XZero Sports will stream the games live at www.xzerosports.com.
For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit www.np.edu/basketball. Visit NJCAA Division II team stats for up-to-date NJCAA statistics on the Nighthawks. Fans can also follow
the Nighthawks all season on social media.
Facebook: Nighthawk Athletics
Twitter: @NPC_Nighthawks
Instagram: nighthawkathletics
Snapchat: npnighthawks
