The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk men’s and women’s basketball teams split their NJCAA Region II games against South Arkansas Community College Saturday, with the Nighthawk women dropping a 69-62 overtime decision and the Nighthawk men picking up a 85-82 win.
In women’s action, defense was key for NPC (9-13, 3-6) early. Led by great rebounding from sophomore forward Jhyla Calvin (Morrilton) and freshman forward Corneisha Griffin (Emerson), NPC held South Arkansas to just six first quarter points. Early in the game, sophomore guard India Atkins (Bryant) became NPC’s all-time rebound leader, surpassing the record previously held by Logan Keener. Griffin recorded 13 total rebounds in the contest while setting NPC’s single-game blocks record with nine rejections.
In the second quarter, South Arkansas hit a hot streak, outscoring the Nighthawks, 21-14, to cut NPC’s advantage to two points, 29-27, at halftime.
The game remained close throughout the second half, with South Arkansas Community College outscoring NPC, 30-28, over the final 20 minutes. Tied, 57-57, at the end of regulation, NPC struggled to put points up in its first overtime game, which allowed South Arkansas to swoop in and secure victory.
Atkins led the Nighthawks in scoring with 18 points, surpassing Kam Vick for NPC’s all-time leading scorer, men or women. Calvin added 16 points with 17 rebounds, while freshmen guards Ashley Blalock (Gurdon) and Janayi Baker (Magnolia) contributed 10 points apiece in the loss.
In a game that came down to the wire, the Nighthawk men (17-8, 6-3) secured the regular-season sweep of the Stars. Freshman guard Ja’Bryant Hill (Duncanville, Texas) paced NPC early with his speed and ability to slice through defenders to reach the rim, while freshman guards Patrick Punch (Houston, Texas) and Nakavieon White (Odessa, Texas) put up big numbers in the paint to send the team to a 45-39 halftime lead.
In the second half, South Arkansas rallied from beyond the arc to keep things close. Sophomore guards Quinntez Grimes (Dallas, Texas) and Nichus Jackson (Trenton, New Jersey) stepped up down the stretch for the Nighthawks, providing multiple blocked shots while knocking down pivotal free throws. NPC knocked down 21-of-24 free throws in the game, with Hill finishing eight-of-eight from the line to lead NPC to its third-consecutive win.
Hill led the Nighthawks in scoring with 16 points. Punch and White added 14 points apiece, while Grimes, sophomore guard Justin Davis (Waterbury, Connecticut) and Jackson recorded 13, 12 and 10 points, respectively, in the win.
NPC celebrates Sophomore Day in The Kettle Saturday, February 25, against Arkansas State University Mid-South, beginning with the Nighthawk women at 2 p.m. The Nighthawk men tip off at 4 p.m. with a share of the NJCAA Region II regular-season championship—the first in NPC’s history—on the line. 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
