McCracken County is the last remaining undefeated boys’ basketball team in the state.
But that distinction got a challenge Thursday.
Hopkinsville rallied from a 24-19 halftime deficit to take a 37-35 advantage to the fourth quarter at Strawberry Hills Pharmacy Arena in Paducah.
A 3-pointer by Bubba Leavell had the visiting Tigers up 43-40 with 2:22 left in the game.
But Hopkinsville (5-9) struggled to find the range in the last 2 minutes.
Instead, McCracken (13-0) got a game-tying 3 from Carson Purvis, then layups from Jordan Bridges and Purvis to go up 47-43 with 50 seconds remaining.
Hoptown crept back to within 48-47 when DeAvery Ramey scored on a putback with 16 seconds to go.
Bridges put the Mustangs up 50-47 when he hit two free throws at the 0:14 mark.
After Hopkinsville missed on a 3 that would have tied the game, Jonathan Venable made two free throw at the other end with just 2.8 seconds left to finally put the game out of reach.
McCracken got 23 points from Jack McCune in the victory. Purvis finished with 10.
KeMarion Smith led Hopkinsville with 11 points. Antonio Williams had 10 and Daisjaun Mercer nine.
Hopkinsville returns to Tiger Gym on Tuesday to host Warren Central.
Hopkinsville 9 10 18 10 — 47
McCracken County 4 20 11 17 — 52
Hopkinsville (5-9)—Smith 11, Williams 10, Mercer 9, Gavin 8, Leavell 5, Ramey 2, Manning 2.
McCracken County (13-0)—McCune 23, Purvis 10, Miller 8, Venable 5, Bridges 4, Bradley 2.
