Nighthawk Men Split Holiday Classic
Against Game Prep Academy, NPC enjoyed hot shooting early from freshman guard Josh
McDaniel (Nashville, Tennessee) and sophomore guard Ty-Shon Pannell (Long Island,
New York) to build a double-digit lead with 10:20 remaining in the first half. The
Lions fought to keep the pace throughout the remainder of the first half, utilizing
their size down low to stay within seven points, 48-41, at halftime.
Fueled by an impressive 15-point second half effort from sophomore forward Nichus
Jackson (Trenton, New Jersey), NPC appeared primed to run away with the game, maintaining
a double-digit lead for the majority of the final 20 minutes. Down the stretch, however,
the Lions caught fire with a 14-4 run, banking in a layup at the buzzer to send the
game to tie the game at 91 and send the contest to overtime.
In a back-and-forth first overtime period, Pannell shined for NPC, scoring eight points
in extra time. Tied, 103-103, a last-second shot attempt from Jackson missed its mark,
sending the game to double overtime.
Led by freshman guard Colbie West (Bradley), a 7-0 NPC run set the pace in double
overtime, allowing the Nighthawks to seal the deal on the team’s third double overtime
game in program history and second overtime win this season.
McDaniel led the Nighthawks in scoring with 33 points, while Pannell added 31 points.
Jackson and West scored 23 and 16 points, respectively, while freshman guard Alveon
Harris (Hot Springs) contributed 14 points in the win.
In the tournament finale, it was a battle of three-pointers against MSU-West Plains,
with each team sinking six treys in the first 20 minutes. Led by a 13-point first-half
performance from Jackson, NPC rallied to take a 34-32 lead at halftime. In the second
half, however, NPC struggled to defend the Grizzlies’ onslaught from beyond the arc,
falling behind by double digits with 7:10 remaining. Despite 10-point second-half
efforts from Jackson and freshman guard Brody Tucker (Kirby), NPC could not complete
the comeback, falling for the fifth time this season.
Jackson led the Nighthawks in scoring with 23 points. Tucker and Pannell added 13
points apiece while West scored 12 points in the loss.
The Nighthawk men play host to Central Baptist College’s junior varsity team Thursday,
Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. The game will be streamed live on the Nighthawk Network. The Nighthawk women return to action Friday, Jan. 6, at 5:30 p.m. in Tishomingo,
Oklahoma.
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
