Two things the Hopkinsville Lady Tigers have plenty of are speed and quickness. The Lady Tigers needed both of those to their full extent to hold off a gritty Clarksville Northwest squad, finally working their way out to a 73-62 win Saturday night at Tiger Gym. The game was not the most stylistic of contests as both teams battled turnovers and cold shooting through the night.
Hopkinsville’s pressure defense had an immediate effect on the Lady Vikings. Northwest had several turnovers in the first couple of minutes as the Lady Tigers opened the game with a 7-0 run. Northwest finally got on the boards on a free throw with 5:58 to go in the quarter.
The Lady Tigers were up 14-6 and seemed to be in full control of the game about halfway through the first quarter. However, the Lady Vikings went on a 9-0 run to take a 15-14 lead. Tamia Scott scored six of the points during the nine point run. Using their pressure, which led to Northwest turnovers, Hoptown responded by scoring the final five points of the quarter to lead 19-15.
Behind eight points from Areonna Day, Hopkinsville appeared to take control of the game again early in the second quarter, extending the lead out to ten points at 29-19. Late in the 2nd, the lead grew to eleven points on a basket by Jayla Rose. Northwest rallied, outscoring Hopkinsville 7-1 to finish the quarter and cut the lead to 37-32 at the half.
Cold shooting from the field and from the line hindered the Hopkinsville attack in the first half. The Lady Tigers especially had trouble close to the basket, as they had several layups rim out during the half.
The 3rd quarter began the same as the first two, with the Hopkinsville Lady Tigers pushing to extend their lead. Behind the play of Yogi McKnight and Jayla Rose, Hoptown pushed the lead out to 52-37 late in the quarter. McKnight scored 8 points in that stretch, including knocking down two long 3 point shots. The Lady Vikings finished the quarter on a 7-2 spurt to trim the lead to 54-44.
Northwest tried to rally in the final period, hitting a couple of long three pointers and forcing Hopkinsville into some rushed turnovers. The Lady Tigers were able to hold on for the win, despite big time struggles from the line. On the night, Hopkinsville made only 22-52 at the line.
The Lady Tigers were led by Yogi McKnight with 20 points. Breon Oldham added 17, while Jayla Rose had 15.
Tamia Scott paced the Lady Vikings with 16. Shakinah Jackson added 11.
With the win, Hopkinsville improves to 3-0 on the season. The Lady Tigers will return to action Monday at Todd County Central.
