Written by: Scott McDonald
Courtesy of: Boone County Sports Report
HARRISON — The shiny new wooden playing floor took center stage Monday night at Pioneer Pavilion as the North Arkansas College Pioneers and Lady Pioneers honored the donors who made the new playing surface possible.
Between NorthArk’s two victories on Monday, college officials recognized representatives of Community First Bank and Magness Toyota for their donations and help getting the new floor installed at the 34-year old facility.
The Lady Pioneers opened the evening with another big win, improving to 5-0 on the season with a 99-52 victory over the Oklahoma Wesleyan JV team. NorthArk led 46-25 at the half.
Kodee Powell had a career night from the field, scoring 32 points while hitting 12 of her 14 shots, including 5 of 7 from behind the 3-point arc. Haley Summers scored 12, Marleeya Montgomery had 10, Danielle Graves 9, Kaitlin Powell 8, Holland Craise 8, Callie Cox 5, Cara Barrett 5, Jordan Cottengim 4, Ashley Martin 4 and Haley Jones 2. As a team, the Lady Pioneers made 35 of 70 shots, including 9 of 24 3-pointers, and were 20 of 27 from the free throw line.
NorthArk hauled in 47 rebounds, led by Kaitlin Powell with 8 while Montgomery and Cottengim each had 6. Cottengim dished out 4 assists while Martin had three steals.
Playing their first home game of the season, the Pioneers defeated Central Baptist JV 87-70. Justin Malott led NorthArk with 21 points, Mark Gathright scored 16, Thomas Whittaker had 13, Drew Dunton and Brandon Hampton each had 8, Tyler Bussell and Omar Perez each had 7, Dexter Golatt had 6 and Dustin Tims added 1.
The Pioneers are back at home Friday night and Saturday afternoon while the Lady Pioneers are at Neosho, Mo., this weekend for the Crowder Classic.