Hopkinsville Coach Tim Haworth won’t admit it, but he has to be happy with how his Tigers have played in the past two weeks. The Tigers lost to Bowling Green 78-71 Friday – their second loss this season to the Purples. But with two starters out in the Toyota of Hopkinsville Classic contest, the Tigers battled back from second half double-digit deficit to make it a two-possession game late. The same couldn’t be said in Hoptown’s 72-55 loss to the Purples December 3 at the Marshall County HoopFest.
Jalen Johnson and Trefell Toliver both missed their third straight game with injury. That left James Nicholas and freshman Alijah Watts to pick up the scoring slack. Nicholas finished with 21 points and six rebounds, while Watts added 20 points and three assists. DeEvan Williams came off the bench to get eight points and five rebounds for the Tigers.
Bowling Green (6-2), who got 22 points and six rebounds from Jarious Key, led 35-25 at halftime and 56-44 after three quarters.
Hopkinsville (2-3) will play Russellville Saturday night at 6:30 in the second day of the Toyota of Hopkinsville Classic at University Heights Academy.
