The Hopkinsville boys’ basketball team took a 13-point advantage into the fourth quarter against the host Red Devils at the Owensboro Invitational Tournament on Thursday, but went cold over the final 8 minutes and had to hold on for a 47-45 victory.
James Nicholas scored 6 first-quarter points on two 3-pointers, countered by 5 from Owensboro’s Isaac Humphrey, and the Tigers held a 14-13 lead after the first 8 minutes.
Hoptown tightened the screws defensively in the second quarter, holding the Red Devils to only 7 points. Jamarion Sharp and Don Victor each scored 4, and the Tigers took a 28-20 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Jacarius Burks scored 5 in the third quarter, and the Tigers extended their lead by the same amount, building a 13-point cushion. Nicholas added 4 for Hoptown, and Amari Robinson-Wales had 4 for Owensboro.
Led by 8 points from Darrion Wimsatt, including 6-6 from the free throw line, the Red Devils roared back over the final 8 minutes. As a team, they shot 10-12 from the line, while the Tigers’ only points of the quarter came on a 3-point play by Sharp. Owensboro outscored them 14-3, but the Tigers were able to escape with a 2-point victory.
Burks and Nicholas were the only Tigers in double figures, with 11 and 10, respectively. Sharp scored 9, and Victor finished with 7.
For Owensboro, only Wimsatt broke double figures, going for 11. Robinson-Wales scored 6 and Humphrey had 5.
The Tigers will be back on the court in Owensboro tomorrow to face undefeated Owensboro Catholic (7-0). They will wrap up play in the Owensboro Invitational Tournament on Saturday with a meeting with Monroe County (6-3).