Defensive pressure has been the key so far this season for the Hopkinsville Lady Tigers, and such was the case again Tuesday night. The Lady Tigers used their pressure to cause offensive problems for the UHA Lady Blazers, as Hopkinsville picked up the big 68-37 8th District win.
The pressure “D” from Hopkinsville caused UHA significant problems right out of the gate. The Lady Blazers were unable to get a point until Meghan Adams hit a free throw with 4:55 to go in the opening quarter. UHA’s first field goal came from Adams with one second to go in the quarter. Meanwhile, even though Hopkinsville’s offense had its own struggles early, the defense ignited enough to give the Lady Tigers a 10-3 lead after one.
A Meghan Adams basket to open the quarter, cut the Hoptown lead to 10-5. Hopkinsville’s defense continued to cause UHA problems getting the ball up the court, and the Lady Tigers extended the lead to 25-15. Then something really bad happened for UHA and very good happened for Hopkinsville. That being outside shots started to fall for Hopkinsville.
The Lady Tigers closed the half on an 18-0 run over the final 2 ½ minutes of the half to rip the lead out to 43-15 at the break. Yogi McKnight hit four 3-point shots during the span to help blow the game open. UHA’s ball security was a huge issue as the Lady Blazers committed 27 turnovers in the first half, three of those being 10-second violations.
Hopkinsville delivered a final knockout blow to open the 3rd quarter when Areonna Day drilled two 3-pointers from deep in the left corner to push the lead to 49-15. A steal and layup by Breon Oldham moved the game to continuous clock with 4:21 to go and Hoptown up 55-19. The quarter ended with the Lady Tigers in control 57-24.
Both teams got several reserves involved in the action in the 4th quarter as Hopkinsville cruised it on out to the final margin.
Yogi McKnight led the way for Hopkinsville with 20 points. Breon Oldham added 19, while Areonna Day scored 9 on three 3-point shots.
Lily Hendricks was the top scorer for UHA with 10 points. Meghan Adams scored 9, while Alex Juckett added 7.
Hopkinsville’s defensive pressure ended up being a big story on the night, forcing UHA into 35 turnovers for the game.
The win moves Hopkinsville to 6-1 on the season, and 1-0 in 8th District play. The Lady Tigers return to action Saturday against Muhlenberg County at the Lady Mustang Classic.
UHA drops to 4-2 on the season and 0-1 in 8th District play. The Lady Blazers will return to action Friday night at Caldwell County.
