SUTTER, CA (YSBC) - The Natomas Nighthawks boys basketball team closed the first half of Golden Empire League play and used a late fourth quarter run to beat the Sutter Huskies 79-67 on Jan. 23.

Natomas and Sutter came into the matchup Friday night tied for second place as both suffered a loss to Casa Roble in the first half of league play.

As the Huskies closed out 2025 with a win over West Park in the finals of the Lindhurst Holiday Tournament, head coach Nabeel Bhatti expressed to Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports he wanted his team to be more aggressive on the glass.

Bhatti added he wanted to emphasize the offensive rebounding. Sutter was more aggressive on the glass, and it was displayed against the Nighthawks.

Sutter junior Ledger Hale (2) connects for a three-point shot on Jan. 23 in the Huskies' defeat against Natomas. Photo by Steven Bryla

Sutter had a great start to the game as they hit three three-point shots in the first and led 18-13 at the end of the first quarter. Huskies junior guard Ledger Hale nailed two of the five triples he connected with for the entire game for 15 points in the loss.

Sutter fought hard on the glass throughout the entire game and had multiple counts of success in the first half despite Natomas finding their rhythm as a squad by dropping 21 points in the second quarter and led 34-31 at the half.

Huskies sophomore Preston Palmer and junior Troy Bowens had a heavy presence inside the paint on the offensive end for Sutter in the first half as they pulled down multiple offensive rebounds and gave the Huskies multiple second-chance opportunities.

Bowens and Palmer combined for 16 points in the first half against the Nighthawks and finished the game combined for 29 in the defeat.

Sutter sophomore Preston Palmer (12) puts up a shot on Jan. 23 during the Huskies' loss to Natomas. Photo by Steven Bryla

Sutter senior Izzy Bhatti led the Huskies with 16 points in the loss and scored nine in the second half.

Bowens had a few offensive rebounds in the third and had a few trips to the free-throw line and kept the Huskies in the game. Sutter trailed 52-50 heading into the final quarter.

In the fourth, Natomas junior Aeron Wallace and senior Manno Jenkins took over the court as they combined for 21 of the Nighthawks 27 points in the win as they were able to pull away from Sutter for sole possession of second place in the GEL.

The Huskies started the second half of GEL play on Monday night as they hosted Casa Roble, who currently leads the GEL with an undefeated 6-0 record in league play.

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