The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks men’s and women’s basketball teams swept
their NJCAA Region II opener against University of Arkansas Cossatot (UA Cossatot)
Saturday, with the Nighthawk women defeating the Lady Colts, 74-64, and the Nighthawk
men picking up a 91-77 victory.Led by seven first-quarter points from sophomore guard India Atkins (Bryant), the
Nighthawk women (6-7) found their groove early, outscoring the Lady Colts, 20-13 in
the opening act while forcing tough shots with a tight defensive press. Adding seven
points in the second quarter, Atkins and the Nighthawks continued to give UA Cossatot
fits, defensively, resulting in a 38-30 advantage at halftime.
Atkins fueled the Nighthawks in the second half, adding 10 third-quarter points, including
a 60-foot buzzer-beating trey to end the quarter. Leading, 62-51, entering the final
10 minutes, sophomore guard Amaya Coakley (Killeen, Texas) stepped up with six fourth-quarter
points and a strong defensive presence to help NPC slam the door on its first NJCAA
Region II win of the season.
Atkins led the Nighthawks in scoring with 26 points, while Coakley finished with 19
points in the win.
After falling behind, 12-6, in the first four-and-a-half minutes in men’s action,
NPC (11-5) rallied behind strong scoring efforts from freshman Nakavieon White (Odessa,
Texas) and sophomore guard Justin Davis (Waterbury, Connecticut) to keep pace with
the Colts’ hot three-point shooting. Despite trailing for the majority of the first
20 minutes, the Nighthawks took the lead in the final minute of the half on Davis’
fourth triple, sliding into halftime with a 42-40 advantage.
Both teams remained neck and neck throughout the first seven minutes of the second
half, with UA Cossatot matching NPC bucket for
bucket. NPC took the lead for good with 12:20 remaining on a layup from White in
double coverage. Freshman guard Patrick Punch (Houston, Texas) guided NPC to the finish
line with 18 second-half points and a perfect nine-of-nine from the free throw line
to seal NPC’s first NJCAA Region II victory of the season.
Davis led the Nighthawks in scoring with 21 points, while Punch and White finished
with 20 points apiece in the win.
Nighthawks basketball will host a health care and first responder appreciation night
Thursday, January 19 in the Kettle at NPC. The Nighthawk women play host to North
Arkansas College at 5:30 p.m. followed by the men at 7:30 p.m. Both games will be
streamed live on the Nighthawk Network. Each honored health care and first responder will receive two tickets to the game
and will be recognized during halftime of each game. Additional tickets can be purchased
at the door for $5. Tickets and concession are cash only at this time.
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
