The Hopkinsville Tigers started and finished strong Saturday afternoon at the Roy’s Bar-B-Que/First Southern National Bank Classic. The Tigers closed out the game on a 13-4 run to complete a 4th quarter rally and pick up a 60-55 win over Owensboro Catholic in a consolation bracket semifinal game.
The Tigers roared out of the gate in the contest, scoring the first ten points of the game. The Aces patiently worked their way back into the game, cutting the lead to 14-12 at the end of the first quarter.
The two teams traded the lead back and forth over the course of the second quarter. Back to back baskets from Josh Deeds and Authur McKnight sent the Tigers into the break holding a 27-25 lead.
In the third quarter, Hopkinsville looked ready to put the game away. The Tigers would push the lead out to as many as eight points, the last time coming at 43-35. Once again however, the Aces would not go quietly, and went on a 10-2 to end the quarter and tie the game at 45-45 headed into the final eight minutes.
Catholic would push the lead out to 51-47 before the Tigers would make their final run to take control of the game. Don Victor scored six straight points to give Hopkinsville a 53-51 lead. Over the final minutes, Authur McKnight and Reece Jesse knocked down free throws to help the Tigers seal the five point win.
Don Victor paced the Tigers with 18 points, 14 of them coming in the second half. K.C. Cabiness finished with 12 points, 10 of which were in the first quarter. Reece Jesse and Authur McKnight added 11 points each.
Owensboro Catholic was led by Brian Griffith with 20 points. J.T. Webb finished with 14 for the Aces.
With the win, the Tigers improve to 5-6 on the season.
