National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk Men’s Basketball team pulled out a win in overtime against the Crowley’s Ridge Pioneers Tuesday night at Paragould.
The teams played a competitive first half with the Pioneers leading 42-41 at the break. The second half was a battle that saw the Nighthawks down by 8 points with just under four minutes to play. At the 3:55 mark in the second half, NPC cranked up the defensive intensity led by Clyde Ricks (4) with two late steals. The Nighthawks tied the game with just under a minute to play. After a defensive stop, the Nighthawks missed a late 3-pointer, which left the game knotted up at 85-85 to end regulation. The Nighthawks controlled the overtime period with dominant play from Braylon Steen (24), and K. J. Corder (13) along with a clutch 3-pointer by Jarvis Ricks (1). The Nighthawks prevailed with a final score of 100-89.
The Nighthawks are enjoying a five game win streak as well as three straight wins on the road. “Tonight was good for us. It is good for our young men to learn how to win on the road when you are not playing your best. We looked a little tired early, but I was proud of how we finished. It is a testament to every guy knowing their role and stepping up when their number is called,” said head coach Jason Hudnell. “My hat is off to Coach Cooper and the Pioneers, they played extremely hard and gave us all we wanted,” he added.
Leading scorer for NPC was KJ Corder (13) of Hot Springs with 36 points and seven rebounds. Braylon Steen (24) of Bryant scored 21 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Lowell Washington (12) of Bryant added 17 points and 11 rebounds.
The Nighthawk men and women’s teams play North Arkansas College February 2 in Harrison at 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
A complete schedule of games and links to archived broadcasts of games are available at www.np.edu/athletics.
