The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk women’s basketball team (1-3) split the Greyhound Tipoff Classic, hosted by Arkansas State University-Mid South, last weekend, with the Nighthawks falling to Mineral Area College, 72-55, Friday and defeating Northwest Mississippi Community College, 62-46, Saturday.
Behind sophomore Amaya Coakley (Killeen, TX), NPC kept pace with the hot-shooting Cardinals in the first quarter of Friday’s action. A five-point game after the first quarter, 22-17, NPC struggled to make shots down the stretch, taking a 37-30 deficit into halftime. In the second half, Mineral Area College found its groove, outscoring NPC, 19-10, in the third quarter, allowing the Cardinals to pull away for good.
Coakley led the Nighthawks in scoring with 18 points, while sophomores India Atkins (Bryant) and Jhyla Calvin (Morrilton) added 11 and 10 points, respectively, in the loss.
By spreading the ball around on offense and utilizing their physicality in the paint, the Nighthawks capitalized on Saluqi foul trouble at the free throw line to build an early lead Saturday. NPC kept its foot on the gas in the second half, led by a strong third-quarter effort from Coakley and timely three-point shooting from freshman Sidney Townsend (Nashville). Atkins put the finishing touches on the Nighthawks’ first victory with a six-point fourth-quarter finish.
Atkins led the Nighthawks in scoring with 15 points, while freshman Sidney Townsend (Nashville) and Coakley added 11 and 10 points, respectively, in the win.
The Nighthawk women play host to Blue Mountain College’s junior varsity team in “The Kettle” at National Park College Tuesday at 5:30 p.m., with the Nighthawk men to follow against Williams Baptist University. Both games will be streamed live on The Nighthawk Network.
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 Athletics
Twitter: @NPC_Nighthawks
Instagram: nighthawkathletics
Snapchat: npnighthawks
