Nighthawk women fall in Central Plains District Championship

12 Mar 2025 Nighthawk women fall in Central Plains District Championship

Posted at 7:04 PMh in Sports by 501 LIFE

TRENTON, Mo. — The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawk women’s basketball team fell to No. 12 North Central Missouri College in the National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) Central Plains District Tournament championship Saturday, 70-59.

Turnovers and fouls plagued both teams in a low-scoring first half. Behind strong rebounding and timely steals from freshman guard Kishaliya Doss (Magnolia), NPC battled within two points, 11-9, at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, NPC began to develop an offensive rhythm, with sophomore guard Hannah McLain (Cove) pushing the Nighthawks into the lead, 16-15, with 7:32 to play. The Pirates would not go away quietly, however, rallying for a late run to take a 26-18 lead in the final two minutes. NPC shortened the deficit from the foul line, with Doss and McLain sinking free throws to send the game to halftime with the Nighthawks trailing, 26-21.

NPC’s shooting woes continued throughout the first five minutes of the third quarter, with North Central Missouri College holding a 36-28 advantage midway through the period. Following a timeout, NPC rallied behind McLain, who surged for six quick points, followed by a layup from freshman guard Parish Norfleet (Wichita Falls, Texas) to pull within two points, 40-38. The Pirates would catch a second wind, however, outscoring NPC, 6-2, to take a 46-40 lead going into the final act.

North Central Missouri College took advantage of NPC foul trouble in the fourth quarter, padding its lead from the free throw line. Unable to answer the deficit, the Nighthawks fell one game short of its first NJCAA Division II National Tournament appearance.

McLain led the Nighthawks in scoring with 14 points, while Doss and freshman guard Khyra Garrett (Brownsboro, Texas) finished with 10 points apiece.

With the loss, NPC concluded a historic season that included a record-setting 22 wins, the longest winning streak in program history (9), the largest margin of victory in program history (59 points), and the fewest points allowed in a single game (25).

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