(Photo by Todd Griffin)
The gas tank hit empty for the Hopkinsville Lady Tigers at the most inopportune time as they scored just six points over the final 11 minutes in a 46-36 loss to Madisonville in the first round of the Second Region Tournament at Crittenden County Wednesday.
Donisha Flowers hit a free throw with 3:23 left in the third quarter to put Hopkinsville ahead 30-21. The Lady Tigers would then endure a stretch of 10:43 without a field goal. Madisonville took full advantage as they embarked on an 18-1 run to take a 39-31 lead with 1:04 left.
Cameron LaGrange scored seven points, and Courtney Peyton scored five during the decisive second half run. Hopkinsville didn’t help their cause by shooting 3-of-9 at the free throw line in the second half, including missing three straight front ends of the bonus.
Hopkinsville got as close as 41-36 with 28 seconds left, but an intentional foul sent Madisonville to the free throw line where they hit five of their final six attempts to seal the win.
Both teams muddled through the first half. Madisonville led 10-9 after one quarter, and the game was tied 19-19 at halftime. The teams combined to shoot 28-percent from the floor and made three 3-pointers.
Both teams actually shot worse in the second half, but Madisonville hit 15-of-18 free throws in the half and 19-of-24 for the game. Hopkinsville hit just 4-of-16 free throws.
Madisonville was forced into 18 turnovers, but Hopkinsville only managed 11 points from the miscues.
LaGrange had 12 points and 14 rebounds to pace the Lady Maroons. Lindsey Peyton also had a double-double with 11 point and 13 rebounds. Courtney Peyton added nine points and 10 boards.
Yogi McKnight had 14 points and five steals for Hopkinsville. Donisha Flowers scored nine points and hauled down 10 rebounds. Breon Oldham had eight points, and Lakayla Samuel had a team-high 11 rebounds.
Jayla Rose, Hopkinsville’s leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, did not play due to an injury suffered in the Eighth District championship game last week. Hopkinsville missed her work on the glass as they were outrebounded 43-33.
Hopkinsville’s season ends with a record of 17-16. Madisonville improves to 23-7 with the win. The Lady Maroons will play Henderson County Monday at 6pm in the semifinals. Madisonville, who lost to Henderson 73-37 on Jan. 12, has lost 41 straight games to the Lady Colonels dating back to 1987.
