BASKETBALL
Nighthawks torch Tigers
The National Park College men’s basketball team bounced back into the win column Monday, defeating East Texas Baptist, 103-77, at The Kettle inside the NPC Wellness Center.
The Nighthawks (12-4) took a comfortable lead early, boosted by notable performances off the bench by sophomore forward Preston Crowder, of Arkadelphia, and freshman Dayten Wishon, of Gravette. They capitalized on the Tigers’ foul trouble and hit 11 of 11 free throws in the first half to take a 49-34 lead by halftime.
Freshman forward D.J. Martin, of Pine Bluff only scored two points in the first half, but he scored 16 in the second half, including three dunks to energize the home crowd. Crowder and freshman Desmond McDonald, of Hope, helped the Nighthawks win the rebounding battle and take their second victory over the Tigers this season.
Martin led the Nighthawks in scoring with 18 points. Crowder finished with 16 points.
Sophomore Logan Willett, out of Faith Prep Academy in West Memphis; McDonald; and freshman Chandler Roland, of Perryville, added 14, 12 and 10 points, respectively, in the win.
National Park College will celebrate sophomore night tonight with the women’s game against Crowder College scheduled to start at 5 p.m. The 3-9 Nighthawks have four games remaining on their schedule, all on the road, including the season finale on Feb. 28 at Southern Arkansas University Tech (9-5) in Camden.
Both National Park College and SAU Tech are new members of Region 2 of Division II of the National Junior College Athletic Association this season. The Nighthawks are 0-3 in conference games against SAU Tech and No. 6 North Arkansas College (19-4, 3-0), while the Rockets are 1-1.
The men’s team is scheduled to tip off tonight at 7 p.m. against Hendrix College. The Nighthawks have six remaining games on their schedule, all on the road, including conference games at Arkansas State University Mid-South (15-6, 2-1) and SAU Tech (15-9, 2-1).
National Park College began the season 9-0, but they are 3-4 this semester. The Nighthawks have lost all four games against other Division II Region 2 teams.