The National Park College women's basketball team shot effectively in the first quarter Saturday against Arkansas State University Mid-South, but the Nighthawks cooled off and the Greyhounds pulled away for an 85-55 victory.
Saturday's home game against Mid-South at the NPC Wellness Center was the last game of the regular season for the Nighthawks (1-5). They will close their season next month at the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association Collegiate Club Regionals.
Despite shooting 1 of 6 from 3-point range in the opening quarter, the Nighthawks had a 15-14 lead late in the first. It was the last time they led in the game.
Mid-South (10-14) scored the final nine points of the frame to lead 23-15. NPC forward Anna Ledbetter, of Lake Hamilton, stemmed the tide with a basket to open the second quarter, but Mid-South answered with another 7-0 run.
The Grehounds punished the hosts on the boards and took advantage of extra opportunities in the second quarter. The margin grew to 48-27 by halftime.
The visitors finished the first half 16 of 32, 50 percent, from the field and 6 of 13, 46 percent from 3-point. National Park college made just 2 of 13, 15 percent, from 3-point in the first half, to go with 9-for-27 shooting for 33 percent from the field and 7-for-12 on free throws for 58 percent.
Jessieville's Faith Bratton was effective in the third quarter, scoring eight points, but the Nighthawks continued to struggle from the field. Mid-South shot 7-for-16 for 43.8 percent in the third quarter and tacked on a trio of 3-pointers to lead 65-38 going into the final frame.
The visitors led by 34 points multiple times in the fourth. Baskets by Ledbetter and Bratton closed the margin and set the final score.
Mid-South's balanced scoring effort tormented the hosts throughout the game. Sable Greer, of West Memphis, led all scorers with 25 points, including five 3-pointers. Summer Abram, also of West Memphis, scored 10 points in the first quarter and finished with 20. Javia Wilson, of Nettleton, added 15 off of the bench.
Bratton led National Park College with 22 points. Bailey Womack, of Fountain Lake, scored 10 points in the first half and finished with 13, while Ledbetter added 10.
The leading scorers were joined in the starting lineup by newcomers Haley Ortiz, of Caddo Hills, and Laney Wallace, of Malvern, who transferred from College of the Ouachitas. Wallace hit two 3-pointers to finish with six points.
National Park College shot 19 of 51, 37 percent, for the game and 4 of 19, 21 percent, from 3-point range. The Nighthawks shot 13-for-25 for 52 percent at the free throw line.
Mid-South made 27 of 58, 46.6 percent, from the field and 11 of 28, 39 percent, from 3-point. The Greyhounds finished 12-for-16, 75 percent, on free throws.
Sports on 02/25/2018