The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk women’s basketball team (3-6) dropped two games in the Lady Roughrider Classic, hosted by Crowder College, over the weekend, falling to Eastern Oklahoma State College, 73-50, Friday and losing to Crowder College, 70-59, Saturday.
Shooting woes prevented NPC from establishing a rhythm early in Friday’s action, leading to a 41-24 Mountaineer advantage at halftime. Behind a strong second half from sophomore guard Amaya Coakley (Killeen, Texas), NPC attempted a rally late, outscoring the Mountaineers, 15-9, in the final quarter, but was unable to overcome the deficit.
Coakley led NPC with 14 points in the loss.
Strong defense from Coakley and freshman guard Sidney Townsend (Nashville) guided NPC to an 11-9 first quarter lead early in Saturday’s action. Crowder College bounced back in the second quarter, fueled by strong rebounding, to build a 27-21 halftime lead.
Sophomore guard India Atkins (Bryant) paced the Nighthawks in the second half, bringing the game within three scores entering the final quarter. In a high-scoring fourth quarter affair for both teams, the Lady Roughriders pulled away late, however, outscoring the Nighthawks, 26-22, and delivering NPC’s sixth loss of the season.
Coakley led NPC with 22 points, while Atkins finished with 16 points. Townsend added 11 points with 10 rebounds in the loss.
The Nighthawk women take on Murray State College Friday, Jan. 6, at 5:30 p.m. in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. The Nighthawk men return to action this weekend in the second-annual Nighthawk Holiday Classic, held Friday and Saturday in the Kettle. NPC faces Game Prep Academy Friday at 7 p.m. and Missouri State University-West Plains Saturday at 5 p.m. The 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
