National Park College's first-year Nighthawks survived a 11-point deficit with two minutes remaining Tuesday, but the Champion Christian College Tigers earned a 108-102 win in double overtime in Hot Springs' first-ever, intracity, intercollegiate contest.
The two teams were level at 43-43 after the first half and ended regulation tied at 89-89. The Tigers (2-2) trailed throughout the first overtime, but the Nighthawks (2-3) forced a second with the score 98-98.
National Park College shot 0-for-10 in the second overtime. Champion led 103-102 with 2:23 left to play and crept further ahead to seal the win.
"I thought we competed really well in a hard fought, physical game," Champion head coach Jesse Byrd said. "It was a close game throughout, with one of the largest leads being 81-71 with 3:30 left in the game. We didn't do a good job closing things out at the free throw line, shooting 56 percent from the line for the game."
The Nighthawks endured multiple deficits in the second half and in the first overtime. They were called for more than 40 fouls, including four technicals. The team lost three starters and two bench players who fouled out late in the game.
"I was really proud of the kids who came in at the end to force overtime," said NPC head coach Jason Hudnell. "It obviously plays a big role any time you do not have your starters on the floor, but I think it is a testament to the depth we have. Where it really hurt us was the five. They were able to bring their bigs in and they just killed us on the boards."
Braylon Steen, of Bryant, fouled out with more than three minutes left in the game, but still led the Nighthawks and all players in scoring with 32 points. Hudnell said he felt NPC struggled to adapt to the small court and confines of Champion's gym. Multiple Nighthawk players were called out of bounds on the court's tight sidelines.
"They've definitely got a great home court advantage," Hudnell said. "It is a tough place for opposing teams to come in and play. Hats off to them. They know how to play in those smaller confines. You could tell we had a little trouble adjusting to that.
"With our style of play, we really want to pace and space. We want to spread you out and run. They are bigger than us. We were kind of playing in a phone booth on that small court. I think that played to their advantage and to their strengths. Kudos to them for using that."
Champion's leading scorer, 6-4 senior Cody Connor, also fouled out late. Connor left with 25 points on 9-for-18 and six rebounds. He entered the game averaging 21.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.
Freshman starter Seth Duke, of Gravette, also fouled out for the Nighthawks as they fought to erase an 87-76 deficit with two minutes left in the second half. Connor had a chance to extend the lead after NPC's third technical foul and the fourth called in the game, but he missed both free throw attempts. Sophomore Austin Pike, of Monette, missed two foul shots with 1:35 left in regulation.
A layup by Lowell Washington, of Bryant, a 3-pointer by NPC's Clyde Ricks, of Hope, and two free throws by Jordan Harper, of Lake Hamilton, pulled the Nighthawks to within 83-87.
Champion sophomore Trevon Reed, of Blevins, made a free throw to extend the lead to 88-83. A deep 3-pointer by NPC's Jarvis Ricks, of North Little Rock, made the score 88-86.
Senior Pargo Williams added a free throw to give the Tigers an 89-86 lead with 21 seconds remaining. He entered the game averaging 12 points, three rebounds and 2.5 assists a game. He finished with 25 points and four rebounds against NPC.
Jarvis Ricks made a second three from the midcourt circle to tie the game with 11 seconds on the clock. A shot by Reed was blocked to keep the game tied after regulation.
The teams traded baskets in the first overtime, but Champion held the edge throughout. NPC struggled to close the gap and go ahead with missed attempts at the free throw line.
The Nighthawks were 11-for-22, 50 percent, on free throws. The Tigers made 22 of 39, 56 percent, free throw attempts.
"They did a great job battling back and forcing us to take bad shots down the stretch to force overtime," Byrd said. "In the second overtime we were able to slow down and execute better, allowing is to pull out a hard fought win.
"It was everything you want and more in a college basketball game. We are excited about our next match up Jan. 2 in the Bank of the Ozarks Arena."
Jarvis Ricks fouled out in the second overtime to join Steen, Duke and Clyde Ricks on the bench. Washington was called for a technical foul for his fifth overall two minutes into the second overtime.
Only standing room was available as fans of both schools filled Champion's gym on Tuesday. Hudnell said the Tigers were excited to host the Nighthawks.
"They have had this date circled on their calendars because they have been the only college basketball team in Hot Springs for some time," Hudnell said. "They recruited regionally and they have done a good job. They play a pretty regional schedule and some NCAA teams. I think they wanted to show they were still the kings of the court, if you will, in Hot Springs."
"To me, it is exciting because it is a great start to what I think can be a really fun cross-town rivalry," Hudnell added.
Washington had 19 points and four rebounds. K.J. Corder, of Hot Springs, added 18 points and four rebounds. Clyde Ricks had five rebounds.
Pike's 23 points led the rest of Champion's scorers and he added eight assists. Reed finished with 13 points and nine assists.
Reed led all players with 49:35 played in the game and Pike played for more than 48 of the game's 50 minutes. Corder and Washington led NPC with 42:50 and 37:05.
Champion is scheduled for two home games Friday and Saturday against Welch College and Arkansas State University Mid-South, respectively. A road game against Baptist Bible College on Dec. 7 in Springfield, Mo., will be their last game of the semester.
NPC is without a game in December after Ecclesia College asked to move their game to January. The Nighthawks will next play Champion again on Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. in Bank of the Ozarks Arena.
Sports on 11/30/2017