The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks men’s and women’s basketball teams ended
their seasons in semifinals of the NJCAA Region II Tournament at Harding University
on Tuesday. The Nighthawk women dropped a 56-51 decision to No. 7 North Arkansas College,
while the Nighthawk men were defeated, 72-57, by Arkansas State University Mid-South
(ASU Mid-South).An aggressive approach, offensively and defensively, fueled NPC early in women’s action.
Taking advantage of Lady Pioneers miscues, the Nighthawks kept things close throughout
the first half in a 29-20 halftime decision.
In the third quarter, NPC chipped away at the deficit from the free throw line, while
using its defense to keep North Arkansas College to low scoring.
Trailing by 12 points entering the fourth quarter, NPC exploded, offensively. Led
by an 11-point effort from sophomore Amaya Coakley (Killeen, TX) and critical three
pointers from Taylor Humphreys (Hot Springs), the Nighthawks pulled within two points,
47-45, with 6:28 remaining. The Lady Pioneers would answer back from the free throw
line down the stretch, however, ending NPC’s record-setting season.
Coakley led the Nighthawks in scoring with 14 points, while Humphreys scored 11 points
in the loss.
In a back-and-forth first half in men’s action, the Nighthawks rode hot shooting from
sophomores Kylil
Anderson (Fort Worth, TX) and Garett Powell (Springboro, OH) to take a 34-30 lead
after 20 minutes.
In the second half, fortunes reversed, and the Greyhounds found themselves in the
lead with 16:53 remaining and building a double-digit lead with six minutes to go.
Behind sophomore Sayvon Traylor (Atlanta, GA), the Nighthawks attempted a rally, but
could not complete the comeback, ending a great year for Nighthawks basketball.
Anderson led the Nighthawks in scoring with 17 points, while Powell and Traylor finished
with 14 and 12 points, respectively, in the loss.
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
