They closed the gym an hour before tipoff. There were people in every nook and cranny that you could legally put someone in to watch UHA and Hopkinsville Saturday night at Blazer Gym. And those who managed to get in the doors were treated to a great 8th District basketball game. University Heights fended off Hopkinsville runs at the end of each half to pick up a hard fought 67-61 win in front of a jam packed house. The win secured the #1 seed in the 8th District tournament for the Blazers.
UHA came flying out of the gate and jumped ahead 8-2. Hopkinsville, giving an indication of what kind of game it was going to be, battled back. The Tigers cut the lead to two at 11-9. The lead would still be at two for the Blazers when the quarter ended at 13-11. Drew McGowan had a great start for UHA, scoring seven points in the opening quarter.
While the tempo and intensity were high in the opening quarter, it hit a new level in the second quarter. With KyKy Tandy and Drew McGowan leading the way, UHA started the quarter by outscoring Hoptown 18-11 to move out to a 31-22 lead, and giving indication that they were about to take contol of the game. But James Nicholas and his Hopkinsville teammates had other ideas. Nicholas, Jacarius Burks, and Don Victor sparked a Tiger run to get back in the game. A block on one end and a slam on the other in the final seconds by Burks drew Hopkinsville within two at the half at 34-32.
A 3-pointer by Authur McKnight to open the 2nd half put Hopkinsville in front for the very first time at 35-34. The Tigers would also lead 37-35 and 39-37. Down 39-37, UHA responded with five quick points to get back to the front at 42-39. The teams battled back and forth with big plays from Tandy and McGowan for UHA, and from Victor and Nicholas from Hoptown. Holding a 46-45 lead, UHA then ran off seven in a row to go up 53-45. A James Nicholas three late in the quarter cut the Blazer lead to 53-48 going into the final quarter.
Don Victor scored to start the 4th quarter for the Tigers, cutting the UHA lead to 53-50. The Blazers then delivered what would turn out to be the knockout punch. UHA ran off 8 points in a row to get the lead to double figures at 61-50. The Tigers made one last furious push and got the lead down to 63-59 with 38.7-seconds left. UHA was able to get just enough done at the line in the final seconds to hold on for the six point win.
KyKy Tandy led UHA in scoring with 23 points. Drew McGowan added 22. Taquan Hollowell was also in double figures with 11.
James Nicholas was at the top of the scoring sheet for the Tigers with 24 points. Jacarius Burks added 13 points, all of them in the first half of play. Don Victor had 10 points for the Tigers.
UHA goes to 25-4 on the season and 6-0 in district play. Hopkinsville falls to 15-10 overall, and 3-2 in the district. UHA will take on Fort Campbell in the opening round of the 8th District tournament, while Hopkinsville will matchup against Christian County.