The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks basketball teams swept South Arkansas Community College in NJCAA Region II play Saturday, with the Nighthawk women (6-11, 1-3) winning, 49-43, and the Nighthawk Men (14-5, 3-1) picking up a 100-64 victory.
NPC set the pace early in women’s action, outscoring South Arkansas, 12-7, through the first quarter. Funneling the offense through freshman Kayla Richardson (Grannis) and sophomore Amaya Coakley (Killeen, TX), the Nighthawks outlasted an 11-8 Stars run in the second quarter, which allowed NPC to cling on to a 20-18 halftime lead.
Richardson and Coakley continued to guide the Nighthawks through the second half, while holding the Stars at bay, defensively. Capitalizing on fourth-quarter free throw shooting, NPC soared to its first NJCAA Region II win of the season.
Richardson led the Nighthawks in scoring with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Coakley provided 16 points and 10 rebounds in the win.
Battling cold shooting and turnovers early, the Nighthawk men struggled to establish an offensive rhythm in the first half, which allowed South Arkansas to keep the score close. Led by sophomore Jaylen O’Conner (Oklahoma City, OK), NPC kept the ship afloat, sailing the Nighthawks to a 40-30 halftime lead.
In the second half, NPC took care of business early, allowing just two points in the first seven minutes and cruising to a comfortable lead. Fueled by O’Conner and sophomores Kam Vick (Little Rock) and Rodrique Massenat (Trenton, NJ), NPC grabbed its third NJCAA Region II victory of the season.
O’Conner (Oklahoma City, OK) led the Nighthawks in scoring with 22 points, while Vick and Massenat added 18 and 14 points, respectively. Freshman JoQuarius Valrie (Houston, TX) scored 12 points in the win.
The Nighthawks play host to Williams Baptist University’s junior varsity team Monday, Jan. 24 with the women tipping off at 5 p.m., followed by the men at 7 p.m.
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
