After an opening night victory over Livingston Central, the Hopkinsville Tigers welcomed Barren County into Tiger Gym on Tuesday hoping to start the season with consecutive wins for the first time since the 2016/17 season. But despite beginning the 4th quarter with a narrow lead, the Tigers were overtaken by the Trojans in a 60-56 defeat.
Eli Brooks scored six of his game-high 20 points in the 1st quarter, and despite five for Hoptown’s Bubba Leavell, the Trojans led 12-11 after eight minutes.
Aden Nyekan put up seven points in the 2nd and Brooks and Mason Griggs combined for eight to continue to build the lead for Barren County. Daisjaun Mercer kept the Tigers close with 11 points in the frame but they still trailed 29-26 at the break.
Leavell carried the scoring load with nine points in the 3rd, helping the Tigers surge in front 43-41 as the game headed to the 4th quarter. However, despite seven points from Hoptown’s Mercer, Brooks capped his night with eight more and Nyekan chipped in six to earn the victory.
Hopkinsville hits the road on Friday to face undefeated McCracken County. The Tigers fell 69-62 to the Mustangs in Paducah last season.
Barren County 12 17 12 19 — 60
Hopkinsville 11 15 17 13 — 56
Barren County (2-2) — Brooks 20, Nyekan 17, Griggs 13, Miller 6, Poynter 4
Hopkinsville (1-1) — Mercer 22, Leavell 18, White 7, Cabiness 4, Smith 3, Johnson 2
