The third-ranked National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk men’s basketball team (14-0)
opened NJCAA Region 2 play with a 111-86 win over South Arkansas College Monday in
the Kettle.
From the opening tipoff, the Nighthawks took control of the game and never looked
back. Led by hot starts from sophomore guards Nakavieon White (Odessa, Texas) and
Patrick Punch (Houston, Texas), the Nighthawks built a 22-7 lead over the first six
minutes. South Arkansas College answered with a 12-2 run to cut the deficit to five
points. However, the Stars could not complete the comeback. Behind 20 first-half points,
White passed former Nighthawk Sayvon Traylor for third all-time in scoring as NPC
took a 54-39 halftime advantage.
With 24 second-half points, Punch dominated the scoring for the Nighthawks over the
final period. Sophomore forward Anthony Swift (Las Vegas, Nevada) added 11 second-half
points off the bench as NPC cruised to the lopsided victory to remain undefeated on
the 2023-24 campaign.
Punch led the Nighthawks in scoring with 36 points and 10 rebounds on 14-16 shooting.
White added 24 points, while sophomore guard Ja’Bryant Hill (Dallas, Texas) and Swift
contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively. Sophomore center Taylor Harrell (Houston,
Texas) finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds on 6-6 shooting in the win and currently
leads the nation in field goal percentage at 75.8 percent.
The Nighthawks embark on a four-game road trip, beginning in West Memphis against
University of Arkansas Mid-South Thursday, January 11 at 7:30 p.m. NPC returns home
against Shorter College Thursday, January 25 at 7:30 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
Instagram: nighthawkathletics
X: @NPC_Nighthawks
