The Hopkinsville Lady Tigers had to overcome a lot to pick up their big district win over Christian County Friday night at Colonel Gym. The Lady Tigers survived 27 turnovers, 16 of them coming in the second half, 20 missed free throws, having four players foul out, and still found a way to get past the Lady Colonels 73-65 in the team first meeting of the season.
Hopkinsville got big late baskets from JaChia Pendleton and Faith Dansbury to fend off a Christian County rally. Pendleton would score 21 points in the game before fouling out with 2:12 left to go in the contest.
Christian County only has to look “15 feet” to see the biggest reason they dropped the district contest with the Lady Tigers. The Lady Colonels hit just 26 of 58 free throws in the game, leaving a bucket full of points on the court.
Hopkinsville got things rolling early in the game. The Lady Tigers jumped out to an early 9-2 lead behind the play of Donisha Flowers and Shiyah Forte. The lead would grow to as many as eleven at 15-4. The quarter would end with the Lady Tigers leading the Lady Colonels 19-10.
With both teams turning up the heat defensively, both teams had issues with ball security in the early going. Fouls also became an early problem both teams had to face.
Converting Hopkinsville turnovers and knocking down some outside shots allowed Christian County to fight their way back into the game early in the second quarter. With Shaniah Bridges and Evanna McGregor connecting on threes, the Lady Colonels were able to close to within three at 24-21.
However, Hopkinsville found success down in the lane in the form of JaChia Pendleton, who scored 11 first-half points, and the Lady Tigers began to extend the lead again. By the half, Hoptown was back out by double digits at 33-23. The lead could have been bigger if not for turnovers by the Lady Tigers.
The turnovers continued to plague the Lady Tigers in the second half, while Christian County did a much better job with ball security. Even with the turnovers, Hopkinsville’s play inside with Pendleton, Fort, and Flowers would enable the Lady Tigers to hold a 49-38 lead going into the final quarter.
Christian County tried to use their defensive pressure to pull out a fourth-quarter rally, and to a great extent the pressure did its job. However, the Lady Colonels simply left too many points at the line. They would get within five points on a couple of occasions but could get no closer in the final eight minutes.
Both teams had their struggles at the free-throw line as the two teams combined to shoot just 47 of 99 at the stripe. Christian County was 26 of 58, while Hoptown was 21 of 41.
Hopkinsville ended the game with 27 turnovers, while the Lady Colonels lost the ball 13 times.
Hopkinsville was led by JaChia Pendleton with 21 points. Donisha Flowers chipped in with 17. Shiyah Forte also reached double figures with 14.
For Christian County, Mikayah Killebrew finished the game with 14 points. Shaniah Bridges and NeVaeh Day added 13 points each.
Hopkinsville improves to 3-9 overall and 1-0 in 8th District play.
Christian County falls to 5-11 and 1-1.
HHS — 19 14 16 24 – 73
CCHS — 10 13 15 27 – 65
Hopkinsville (3-9) – Pendleton 21, Flowers 17, Forte 14, Bellamy 8, Dansbury 6, Wilson 4, Hill 3
Christian County (5-11) – Killebrew 14, Bridges 13, Day 13, Bagwell 8, Steele 6, McGregor 5, Catlett-Watkins 4, Harris 2
