YSE File Photo
Many coaches will tell you that getting off to a good start is often times key to winning a basketball game. Turned out to be a big key for the Christian County Colonels Tuesday night in their season opener. The Colonels jumped out to a big first quarter lead and then turned back a late game rally to get past Muhlenberg County on the road Tuesday night 51-46.
The start turned out to be the story of the game for the Colonels. Christian County held Muhlenberg County to just one field goal in the first eight minutes as the Colonels bolted out to a 19-3 lead over the Mustangs on their home floor.
The second quarter saw the Mustangs crank up the defense a bit. Muhlenberg County limited the Colonels to just five points in the second as they cut the lead to 24-14 at the half.
Behind big third quarters from Derrell Bateman and Breland Morrison, Christian County was able to extend their lead back out to 39-26 after the third. Bateman and Morrison combined to score 12 points in the quarter.
The Mustangs made a big push to get back in the game in the final 8 minutes and some struggles at the free throw line for the Colonels almost cost them. Christian County went just 2 for 10 at the line in the final quarter. The Colonels though were able to get enough done to hold on for the five point win.
Derrell Bateman led the Colonels with 14 points. George Sanders also hit double-figures for Christian County with 12.
Madox Jernigan was the leading scorer for Muhlenberg County with 19 points.
Christian County (1-0) gets back to action Saturday when they take on Oldham County in the BGO Classic at Lexington Christian.
CCHS – 19 5 15 12 — 51
MCHS – 3 11 12 20 — 46
Christian County (1-0) – Bateman 14, Sanders 12, Miles 9, Morrison 8, Riley 4, Northington 2, Vaughn 2
Muhlenberg County (0-1) – Jernigan 19, Ray 13, Moore 6, Johnson 4, Brannon 2, Sommers 2
