After a tough loss to Henderson County last time they took the court, the Hopkinsville Lady Tigers got things back on track Monday night. The Lady Tigers survived foul trouble and a Todd County Central rally in the 4th quarter to pick up a 62-50 win in Elkton.
After leading by 10 at the end of the third quarter, Hopkinsville saw the Lady Rebels close to within five points at 45-40. But, Donisha Flowers would let it get no closer than that. Flowers got a steal and a layup followed by a LaTaijha Cherry put back and free throw to quickly push the lead back out to double digits at 50-40 with 4:45 to go in the game.
Flowers would later knock down a big three-pointer followed by a layup from Faith Dansbury that came off a steal that helped to salt the game away at 55-43. From that point, the Lady Rebels could get no closer than seven points over the final couple of minutes.
Flowers, after spending much of the night in foul trouble, would foul out of the contest with 2:46 to go, having scored 19 points for the Lady Tigers.
Hopkinsville had been in control of the game since an 8-2 run at the end of the first quarter gave them a 17-9 lead. The Lady Tigers would extend that lead to as many as 13 points in the second quarter before settling in for a 30-22 lead at the half. Donisha Flowers and Shaterrea Bellamy combined to score 15 points in the opening half for Hopkinsville.
Abby Williams battled to keep the Lady Rebels in the game in the first half, finishing the half with seven points.
The Lady Tigers opened the second half with a 7-0 run that moved the lead out to the biggest margin of the night at 15 points at 37-22.
Donisha Flowers led Hopkinsville with 19 points. Shaterrea Bellamy just missed double figures with 9. Kahtahvia Fleming and Shiyah Forte added eight points each.
Abby Williams led the way for the Lady Rebels with 13 points. Lucy Chester added 11 before fouling out with 1:22 left in the game.
A big part of the Todd Central rally was the play of Alexis Taylor. Taylor scored 8 points, but that was not the true story of her play. Her game on the defensive end was disruptive, leading to several Hopkinsville turnovers and big rebounds that helped the Lady Rebels fight their way back into the contest.
Hopkinsville improves to 9-10. The Lady Tigers travel across town Tuesday night to take on the UHA Lady Blazers.
The loss drops Todd Central to 7-13. The Lady Rebels are on the road Tuesday night at Montgomery Central.
HHS — 17 13 14 18 – 62
TCCHS — 9 13 12 16 – 50
Hopkinsville (9-10) – Flowers 19, Bellamy 9, Forte 8, Fleming 8, Cherry 7, Dansbury 7, Moss 2, Pendleton 2
Todd Central (7-13) – Williams 13, Chester 11, Foster 9, Taylor 8, Coleman 5, Collins 4
(Special Assistant Photographer – Lanie Bivins)
