Last week’s close win motivates NPC Monday night at the Kettle

National Park College earned its No. 1 ranking in NJCAA Division 2 with its perfect 20-0 record. The Nighthawks’ reward is a target on their back.

Sophomore Nakavieon White and Patrick Punch provided the offense early, and the Nighthawks’ defense did the rest Monday night at the Kettle in leading NPC past Arkansas State University-Mid-South, 88-76.

“We learned a ton of stuff in El Dorado last week against South Arkansas,” said NPC coach Dillon Hargrove. “We couldn’t make our shots, and won by two points. Tonight was different! We made shots, and for ten minutes played our best defense this season.”

Back-to-back dunks by Siddiq Canty and Punch put the Nighthawks on top, 26-13 with 9:40 left in the first half. The Greyhounds answered with a 6-0 run, only to see Canty convert a 3-pointer, while Punch banked in a pair of baskets to make it, 33-19.

It was Mid-South’s turn as it reeled off the ensuing eight points. Once again the Nighthawks quickly answered on a trey by Ja’Bryant Hill, and 10-foot banker by White. Hill would end up with a game-high 24 points. White poured in 19 points, with 11 assists.

National Park, now 7-0 in Region 2 play, scored the final five points for a 47-34 cushion at intermission.

“I thought White, Hill, and Anthony Swift played well,” said Hargrove. “Swift helped hold down No. 21 (Jessie Washington), their best player. They made those two runs in the first half because we’d try some flasy shots instead of the right shots.”

White buried a 3-pointer coming out of the dressing room, and NPC built a 55-36 advantage. The closest ASU-Mid-South (12-12, 2-5) got after that was 65-56 on a 3-pointer by Chris Martin.

All five starters for NPC scored in double figures. Punch and Swift contributed 14 points each. Six-foot-11 Taylor Harrell added 10 points and 14 rebounds. Canty and Them Koang were the other Nighthawks to see playing time.

The Greyhounds also had a balanced attack. Martin scored 19 points, while KJ McDaniel adding 15, Je’Marion Westbrook 18 and Washington 10.

NPC faces its toughest test to date Thursday when Southern Arkansas University Tech (16-7, 6-1) invades the Kettle with undisputed first place on the line.

(The Sentinel-Record/Donald Cross) A large crowd is pictured at National Park College’s “the Kettle” Monday night as the Nighthawks’ Ja-Bryant Hill inbounds to Patrick Punch. The Nighthawks remain undefeated with their 88-76 win over Arkansas State Mid-South.