The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk men’s basketball team ended its season in
the NJCAA Region II Championship game at Harding University Monday, falling to Arkansas
State University Mid-South (ASU Mid-South), 90-79.
After ASU Mid-South opened the game on an 9-2 run, NPC rallied back from the free
throw line to knot the game at 15 points apiece. Led by 10 first-half points from
sophomore forward Quinntez Grimes (Dallas, Texas), NPC overcame its slow start to
keep within reach of the Greyhounds, 38-31, after 20 minutes.
ASU Mid-South kept its foot on the gas in the second half, boosting the lead to 20
points, 72-52, with 6:46 remaining. Despite being held to just one three-pointer in
the final 20 minutes, NPC freshman guards Ja’Bryant Hill (Duncanville, Texas) and
Nakavieon White (Odessa, Texas) sparked a late rally for NPC, contributing 17 and
15 points, respectively, to pull within single digits with less than a minute to go.
Plagued by foul trouble down the stretch, however, NPC couldn’t overcome the deficit
in time as the Greyhounds claimed their fifth Region II title in seven years.
Hill led the Nighthawks in scoring with 21 points. White and freshman guard Patrick
Punch (Houston, Texas) finished with 19 and 14 points, respectively, while Grimes
added 12 points 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
