NIGHTHAWK WOMEN DOWN TOPPERS IN HISTORIC WIN

HOT SPRINGS, AR - The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk women’s basketball team (2-3) picked up its second-consecutive win Tuesday, setting numerous single-game records in its defeat of Blue Mountain College’s junior varsity team, 117-58, in the Kettle.

Behind a nine-point start from freshman Janayi Baker (Magnolia), NPC caught fire early, erupting on a 17-2 first-quarter run en route to a 30-12 advantage after 10 minutes. Sophomores India Atkins (Bryant) and Amaya Coakley (Killeen, TX) paced the Nighthawks through strong defense in the paint, racking up multiple steals and holding the Toppers to just four field goals in the second quarter to take a 58-24 lead at halftime.

Early in the third quarter, Atkins collected her ninth steal of the game, breaking NPC’s single-game individual steals record, breaking former Nighthawk Jaide Vavra’s record previously set against South Arkansas Community College on Mar. 25, 2021. With 1:30 remaining in the fourth quarter, freshman Sidney Townsend (Nashville) drained a three-pointer to reach a 112-57 lead, breaking NPC’s single-game team scoring record of 110 points scored in a game, which was set against East Texas Baptist University’s junior varsity team on Feb. 1, 2021. NPC cruised to the finish line in the 59-point victory, setting an additional record for largest margin of victory in program history.

Baker led the Nighthawks in scoring with 23 points, while Coakley and Atkins added 20 and 17 points, respectively, while Townsend and freshman Ashley Blalock (Gurdon) scored 14 and 12 points, respectively, in the win.

The Nighthawk women play in the Northwest Mississippi Classic, hosted by Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, MS. NPC will face Meridian Community College today at 5 p.m. and Northwest Mississippi Community College Saturday at 2 p.m. Livestream link for today’s game. Livestream link for Friday’s game.

For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawk men’s basketball and Nighthawk women’s basketball online. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media.Facebook: Nighthawk AthleticsTwitter: @NPC_NighthawksInstagram: nighthawkathleticsSnapchat: npnighthawks