National Park College's men's basketball team bounced back from its first defeat of the season with an 86-74 win on Monday at home against Arkansas Baptist College.
Fellow National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Region 2 member North Arkansas College (9-6) handed the Nighthawks (10-1) a 109-94 loss on Saturday in Harrison. Arkansas Baptist (5-12) competes in Region 2 of Division I.
The teams were locked in a defensive battle in the first half on Monday. Freshman Patrick Greene, out of Wilbur D. Mills in Little Rock, scored nine points to pace the hosts to a 32-30 lead at halftime.
Greene added 16 points in the second half and the Nighthawks hit 18 free throws in the final 20 minutes to pull away. Freshman forward David Jagers, of Mayflower, and sophomore forward Braylon Steen, of Bryant, each scored 10 points in the half.
Greene finished with 25 points in the game. Steen and sophomore K.J. Corder, of Hot Springs, added 17 and 14 points, respectively.
National Park College struggled early on Saturday and trailed by as many as 18 points in the first 10 minutes as North Arkansas started hot from the 3-point line. The Pioneers led, 65-42, at halftime and cruised to the 15-point victory.
Sophomore point guard Seth Duke, of Gravette, scored 14 points in the second half and led the team with 17 in the game. Corder and Bryant finished with 16 and 12 points, respectively.
Greene added 12 points on Saturday. He is the leading scorer for the Nighthawks this season with 18.3 points per game.
National Park College announced new homecoming plans this week. Games previously scheduled for Feb. 18 against Champion Christian College have been canceled.
Homecoming will now be held on Feb. 2 against North Arkansas. The women's game will tip at noon with the men's game to follow at 2 p.m.
A shooting contest will be held at halftime of the womens' game, while alumni will be recognized at halftime of the men's game. A complimentary lunch will be served at 11 a.m. in the atrium of the Frederick M. Dierks Center for Nursing and Health Sciences.
The men's team is scheduled to play again on Thursday at home in the second of two games against Division II Region 2 member Southern Arkansas University Tech. The Nighthawks and Rockets are scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m.
Sports on 01/16/2019