NPC will be closed January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King Day.
The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk men’s and women’s basketball teams defeated South Arkansas College Monday in The Kettle, with the Nighthawk women picking up an 84-42 victory, while the Nighthawk men took down the Stars, 87-84.
From the opening tipoff, the Nighthawk women (9-3) hit the ground running and never looked back. Fueled by dominating defense and nine first quarter points from freshman guard Khayla Garrett (Brownsboro, Texas), the Nighthawks surged to a 27-4 lead after 10 minutes. NPC kept its foot on the gas in the second quarter, with freshman guard Daisy Dollar (Mena) padding the lead with eight points as National Park College cruised to a 52-15 halftime advantage.
NPC’s full-court press continued to disrupt the Stars throughout the second half, allowing just eight field goals throughout the remainder of the contest. Garrett guided the Nighthawks with six second half points as the Nighthawks achieved their second-consecutive NJCAA Region 2 victory to remain atop the standings.
Garrett led the Nighthawks in scoring with 17 points. Dollar finished with 14 points, while freshman center Landrey Richardson (Grannis) added 10 points in the win.
In a rematch of last year’s NJCAA Region 2 men’s championship game, the Nighthawks (9-3) and Stars did not disappoint. South Arkansas College caught fire early from beyond the arc, building a 25-17 lead through the first 10 minutes. Behind 12 points from sophomore guard Shamir Caruthers (Rochester, New York) and nine points from freshman forward Joseph Washington (Miami, Florida), the Nighthawks withstood the Stars’ offensive barrage and rallied from behind with quick drives down low and timely three-point shooting. Sophomore guard Colen Thompson (Conway) drained a buzzer-beating three pointer to complete the comeback as NPC took a 40-38 lead into the locker room.
In the second half, the Nighthawks leaned heavily on the sophomore leadership of Caruthers, who erupted for 21 points over the final 20 minutes. Sophomore forward Tevin Tate (Springdale) was a perfect 6-for-6 in the paint, while out-muscling defenders for loose balls and rebounds. Taking advantage of the Stars’ foul trouble, Caruthers knocked down 10 consecutive free throws down the stretch to keep the Nighthawks undefeated in NJCAA Region 2 play.
Caruthers led the Nighthawks in scoring with 33 points, including two three-pointers and 11-of-13 shooting from the free throw line. Washington added 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Tate finished with 12 points and three blocks in the win.
The Nighthawk men play host to Phillips Community College Wednesday, December 11 at 5:30 p.m. in The Kettle. [np.edu/live]The game will be streamed live on the Nighthawk Network. The Nighthawk women resume NJCAA Region 2 play Friday, December 13 at 5:30 p.m. against Shorter College in North Little Rock.
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
