The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk men’s and women’s basketball teams picked up NJCAA Region II wins against University of Arkansas Cossatot (UA Cossatot) Monday, with the Nighthawk women winning, 80-74, and the Nighthawk men winning, 106-82.
Looking to end a three-game losing streak, the Nighthawk women engaged in a back-and-forth battle with the Lady Colts early, matching UA Cossatot shot-for-shot for a 20-20 tie after 10 minutes. Led by 13 first-half points from sophomore Imani Honey (Hot Springs), NPC answered the Lady Colts’ strong three-point shooting with physical in-the-paint buckets. Nighthawk sophomore Jaide Vavra (Centerpoint) chipped in with two key first-half treys to bring the Nighthawks within two points at halftime, 42-40.
In the third quarter, the Lady Colts remained hot from three-point range, draining four treys to build a double-digit lead, 57-47, with 2:55 remaining. NPC answered back with three quick three-pointers of their own, to cut the deficit to three-points, 58-55, by the end of the third quarter.
Over the final 10 minutes, NPC took advantage of Lady Colts foul trouble to rally back into contention. Led by 10- and seven-point efforts from Honey and freshman India Atkins (Bryant), respectively, the Nighthawks took a 69-67 lead with 5:46 remaining and managed to hold UA Cossatot at bay, defensively, en route to NPC’s second Region II win of the year.
Honey led the Nighthawks in scoring with 25 points, while Atkins and Vavra each added 11 points in the win.
After falling behind, 4-0, to start the game, the Nighthawk men erupted on a 16-2 run through the first five minutes to take a double-digit lead, 16-6. Led by hot shooting from freshman JoQuarius Valrie (Houston, TX) and sophomores Sayvon Traylor (Conyers, GA) and Joe Ramey (El Dorado), the Nighthawks took advantage of cold Colts shooting to pad the lead early.
Trailing, 19-9, UA Cossatot found its three-point shot, battling back for a 15-4 run of its own to take a 24-23 lead with 11:13 remaining in the first half. With 9:46 remaining, NPC regained the lead, 25-24, which would not be relinquished for the remainder of the game. Capitalizing on UA Cossatot foul trouble, NPC went a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line in the first 20 minutes, leading to a 64-41 advantage at halftime.
In the final 20 minutes, NPC kept its foot on the gas, draining six second-half three-pointers. Ramey provided eight points from the paint while Valrie chipping away from beyond the arc and from the free throw line for seven-second half points as the Nighthawks cruised to their 10th victory of the season.
Valrie led the Nighthawks in scoring with 20 points, while Ramey and Traylor finished with 18 and 17 points, respectively. Sophomores Kam Vick (Little Rock) and Terry Clardy Jr. (Conway) added 14 and 12 points, respectively, in the win.
Nighthawks basketball celebrates sophomore night with a home series against South Arkansas Community College Thursday, Mar. 25, with the women tipping off at 5 p.m. and the men following at 7 p.m.
For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit np.edu/basketball. Visit Nighthawk Men stats and Nighthawk Women stats for up-to-date NJCAA statistics on the Nighthawks this season. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks on social media.
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