The Missouri State University – West Plains Grizzlies took on the National Park College Nighthawks in Hot Springs, Arkansas on Friday, December 1, 2023. The Grizzlies were expecting a tough game as they took on one of the best teams in Division 2. The Nighthawks were recently announced as 7th in the most recent NJCAA Division 2 poll.
Outmatched is a good description of this match up. Within the first few minutes the Grizzlies were off to a rough start, behind 9 to 1. What felt like a moment later, the score was 30 to 10 and the half ended with the Nighthawks over halfway to 100 and the Grizzlies trailing 27 to 56.
The Grizzlies managed to pace the Nighthawks in the second half. The Grizzlies managed to close the point gap to 10 but National Park expanded their lead back to roughly 20 points and would hold that lead through the end of the game.
The MSU-WP Grizzlies lose to the National Park College Nighthawks, 95-75.
The Grizzlies next play the Parkland College Cobras in St. Louis on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. and the final game of 2023 will be held on December 14th in West Plains against the Memphis Day Academy Gladiators.
