The 黑料福利社 (NPC) Nighthawk men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 basketball teams split their NJCAA Region II games against South Arkansas Community College Saturday, with the Nighthawk women dropping a 69-62 overtime decision and the Nighthawk men picking up a 85-82 win.
In women鈥檚 action, defense was key for NPC (9-13, 3-6) early. Led by great rebounding from sophomore forward Jhyla Calvin (Morrilton) and freshman forward Corneisha Griffin (Emerson), NPC held South Arkansas to just six first quarter points. Early in the game, sophomore guard India Atkins (Bryant) became NPC鈥檚 all-time rebound leader, surpassing the record previously held by Logan Keener. Griffin recorded 13 total rebounds in the contest while setting NPC鈥檚 single-game blocks record with nine rejections.
In the second quarter, South Arkansas hit a hot streak, outscoring the Nighthawks, 21-14, to cut NPC鈥檚 advantage to two points, 29-27, at halftime.
The game remained close throughout the second half, with South Arkansas Community College outscoring NPC, 30-28, over the final 20 minutes. Tied, 57-57, at the end of regulation, NPC struggled to put points up in its first overtime game, which allowed South Arkansas to swoop in and secure victory.
Atkins led the Nighthawks in scoring with 18 points, surpassing Kam Vick for NPC鈥檚 all-time leading scorer, men or women. Calvin added 16 points with 17 rebounds, while freshmen guards Ashley Blalock (Gurdon) and Janayi Baker (Magnolia) contributed 10 points apiece in the loss.
In a game that came down to the wire, the Nighthawk men (17-8, 6-3) secured the regular-season sweep of the Stars. Freshman guard Ja鈥橞ryant Hill (Duncanville, Texas) paced NPC early with his speed and ability to slice through defenders to reach the rim, while freshman guards Patrick Punch (Houston, Texas) and Nakavieon White (Odessa, Texas) put up big numbers in the paint to send the team to a 45-39 halftime lead.
In the second half, South Arkansas rallied from beyond the arc to keep things close. Sophomore guards Quinntez Grimes (Dallas, Texas) and Nichus Jackson (Trenton, New Jersey) stepped up down the stretch for the Nighthawks, providing multiple blocked shots while knocking down pivotal free throws. NPC knocked down 21-of-24 free throws in the game, with Hill finishing eight-of-eight from the line to lead NPC to its third-consecutive win.
Hill led the Nighthawks in scoring with 16 points. Punch and White added 14 points apiece, while Grimes, sophomore guard Justin Davis (Waterbury, Connecticut) and Jackson recorded 13, 12 and 10 points, respectively, in the win.
NPC celebrates Sophomore Day in The Kettle Saturday, February 25, against Arkansas State University Mid-South, beginning with the Nighthawk women at 2 p.m. The Nighthawk men tip off at 4 p.m. with a share of the NJCAA Region II regular-season championship鈥攖he first in NPC鈥檚 history鈥攐n the line. The games will be streamed live on the .
For more information on schedules, rosters and more, visit Nighthawk men鈥檚 basketball and Nighthawk women鈥檚 basketball online. Fans can also follow the Nighthawks all season on social media.
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