The Hopkinsville Tigers moved to 2-0 at the Owensboro Invitational Tournament on Friday, beating Monroe County 63-52. The Tigers win their third-straight to move to 7-2, with a meeting with undefeated Owensboro Catholic scheduled for Saturday. Monroe County drops its second-straight to slip to 6-4.
The Tigers led by 5 after the first quarter, but the Falcons came back in the second behind 6 points each from Chandler Clemmons and Grayson Rich. Jacarius Burks scored 7, and Hoptown held a slim 27-25 advantage at the halftime break.
Don Victor carried the scoring load for the Tigers after the break, putting up 8 in the third quarter, along with 4 more from Burks, and 4 from Jamarion Sharp. Clemmons continued to have the hot hand for the Falcons, adding 6 more in the frame, but the Tigers stretched their lead to 45-39 with one quarter to play.
Reece Jesse stepped up for the Tigers over the final 8 minutes, contributing 5 points. Kale Hagan scored all 6 of his points in the fourth for Monroe County, but Hoptown held off the Falcons for the 11-point victory.
With Hoptown leading scorer James Nicholas behind held well below his average with 5, Victor led the way with 17. Burks finished with 14, and Sharp posted a triple-double with 12 points, 12 blocks and 16 rebounds.
Clemmons scored 20 for Monroe County, including 10-14 from the free throw line, followed by Rich with 11.
