02 Feb 2022 Nighthawks defeat pioneers

HOT SPRINGS — The National Park College (NPC) Nighthawks basketball teams defeated the junior varsity teams from Crowley’s Ridge College in the Kettle on Monday, with the Nighthawk women (9-11) earning a 81-51 victory and the Nighthawk men (16-6) cruising to a 106-70 win. 

In women’s action, NPC took advantage of Lady Pioneer foul trouble to build a double-digit lead early. Fueled by an eight-point first quarter from freshman Kayla Richardson (Grannis), which included six free throws, the Nighthawks led, 21-14, after 10 minutes.  

In the second quarter, the Nighthawks flourished on defense. Backed by hot three-point shooting from sophomore India Atkins (Bryant), NPC held the Lady Pioneers to just five points on free throws over the 10-minute period, soaring to a 39-19 lead at the break.

In the third quarter, NPC outscored Crowley’s Ridge, 27-13, which allowed the team to coast through the fourth quarter to a 30-point victory and the program’s first four-game winning streak in Nighthawks history. 

Richardson and Atkins led the Nighthawks in scoring with 15 points apiece, while sophomore Amaya Coakley (Killeen, TX) contributed 10 points in the win.

Leading, 6-5, after four minutes, the Nighthawk men took control of the game, erupting on a 34-3 run to go up, 40-8, with 6:02 to play in the first half. Led by 12 first-half points from sophomore Sayvon Traylor (Atlanta, GA), the Nighthawks dominated, defensively, and spread the scoring amongst the team, which included eight three pointers, en route to a 53-23 lead at halftime.

In the second half, the Nighthawks continued to attack the basket, with Traylor excelling from beyond the arc and freshmen Garett Powell (Springboro, OH), JoQuarius Valrie (Houston, TX) and Notoris Nelson (Ashdown) all having big nights in the paint. By limiting the Pioneers in the paint, defensively, NPC soared back into the win column with a 36-point victory.  

Traylor led the Nighthawks in scoring with 23 points. Nelson added 18 points, while Powell, Valrie and sophomore Jaylen O’Conner (Oklahoma City, OK) added 14, 11 and 10 points, respectively, in the win. 

The Nighthawk men play host to Central Baptist College’s junior varsity team on Wednesday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. The game will be streamed live on the Nighthawk Network. The men and women return to NJCAA Region II play at North Arkansas College on Saturday, Feb. 5 with the women tipping off at 2 p.m., followed by the men at 4 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.