The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks women’s basketball team (4-8) picked up two wins in the Lady Roughrider Classic, hosted by Crowder College, with the Nighthawks defeating Fort Scott Community College, 68-50, on Friday and downing Missouri Baptist University’s junior varsity team, 49-48, on Saturday.
After a 16-15 advantage by the Greyhounds in the first quarter of Friday’s action, NPC answered back in the second quarter, outscoring Fort Scott Community College, 15-11, to take a 30-27 lead at the half. In the third quarter, the Greyhounds regained the lead, outscoring NPC, 21-16. Trailing, 48-44, entering the fourth quarter, NPC erupted on a 22-2 run to soar to the double-digit victory, snapping a three-game losing streak.
Kayla Richardson (Hot Springs) led the Nighthawks with 28 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Essieana Bennett (Houston, TX) added 16 points and 10 rebounds, while sophomore India Atkins (Bryant) scored 10 points in the win.
NPC made history in the first quarter of Saturday’s game, with Atkins becoming the Nighthawks’ all-time steals leader, passing the record previously set by Imani Honey. The Nighthawks outscored the Spartans, 15-8, in the opening act, and held on to a 27-21 lead into the halftime break.
Despite being outscored in the third and fourth quarters, the Nighthawks traded shots with the Spartans down to the wire over the final 20 minutes. Leading, 48-47, with four seconds remaining, NPC held off the Spartans, defensively, to claim back-to-back victories for the first time this season.
Amaya Coakley (Killeen, TX) led the Nighthawks in scoring with 15 points, while Richardson added 10 points in the win.
The Nighthawks play host to Southwest Tennessee Community College at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Kettle. The game will be streamed live on the Nighthawk Network.
For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawk women’s basketball online. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media.
Facebook: Nighthawk Athletics
Twitter: @NPC_Nighthawks
Instagram: nighthawkathletics
Snapchat: npnighthawks
