HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – National Park College’s men and women’s basketball teams warmed up for conference play Monday night. The Nighthawks swept East Texas Baptist University’s junior varsity teams at the Oaklawn Foundation Gymnasium.
The women climbed to .500 (2-2) with a shooting display that made head coach Marvin Moody proud. The winners buried 16 treys and scored 65 points in the first half on their way to routing ETBU, 110-66.
Kaylee Dougan of Kirby, Ark., scored all 18 of her points in the first half. The Nighthawks led 35-7 after the first quarter, and the Tigers had no chance with six different players making 3-pointers.
Nighthawks’ hot shooting buries East Texas Baptist
“Tonight we wanted to work on our shooting, because we were terrible a couple of nights ago,” said Moody. “We shot the ball very well in the first half. It showed what we can do when we pass the ball around and set our teammates up. We’ve got one more game before conference.
“I’m hoping to get back to the tournament. We got knocked out in the semifinal round last year. I expect to be in the finals this year. We’ve got more shooters than last season.”
Dougan, Sierra Trotter of Bryant, Ark., and Centerpoint graduate Jasmine Keener had four 3-pointers each. Jaide Vavra, another Centerpoint product, contributed two treys.
Everyone sees playing time for NPC
Moody cleared his bench in the second half with a 42-point lead. There was no stopping the Nighthawks at the offensive end, but East Texas Baptist played considerably better the final two quarters. NPC outscored the Tigers 49-43 the final 20 minutes.
Six-footer Essiena Bennett of Houston, scored 15 points for the Nighthawks. Bryant’s India Atkins and added 13, while Trotter and Keener scored 12 each. Kyra Hargrove of Perryville, Ark., poured in her 10 points during the final half.
Gracie Almond led the Lady Tigers with 20 points, with Sambresha Everett contributing 16.
NPC men start slow, finish strong
NPC’s men started slow offensively, but the Nighthawks’ defense was outstanding in the first half. The host team led 35-20 after 20 minutes.
“We kind of got our offense going as the game progressed,” said NPC coach Dillon Hargrove after his team’s 84-63 win. “Kam Vick really shot the three well tonight. We’re where we need to be defensively. Offensively, we’ve got to work to do before Thursday.
“I feel good about this team. We’ve got a couple of guys beat up, and they didn’t play tonight. I’m hoping we can get them healthy for conference. Mid-South (Arkansas State) has won it four years in a row, and we’re gunning for them. That’s our goal this season, win conference. Hopefully we’ve got the depth, and can shoot it well enough to get there.”
Kam Vick swishes six 3-pointers
Little Rock’s Vick swished six 3-pointers during the first 10 minutes of the second half. He finished with a game-high 27 points. The only other Nighthawk player in double figures was Conway’s Terry Clardy with 12 points.
The Tigers had four players in double digits. Jordan Jones of Bernice, La., scored 14 points. Houston native Tahaun Ford 13. Howard Barron of Texarkana, Texas, had 12, while Mark Kunz of Little Elm, Texas, contributed 11.
NPC’s men (4-2) and women will be back in action at home Thursday against Arkansas Baptist College.
Read Louie Avery’s game reports on CaddoCountryRadio.com, and listen to Caddo Country Radio, 98.9 FM in Glenwood, and now 107.9 FM in Hot Springs.