Looking to hand visiting McCracken County its second straight loss after the Mustangs started the season with 14 consecutive victories, the Christian County Colonels couldn’t hold on to a third-quarter lead in a 58-52 defeat on Monday.
The Colonels had won four of their last five, including a pair of victories over the weekend at the Banterra Bank Warrior Showcase. Junior Jordan Miles passed 1,000 career points on Saturday and was honored before tip-off.
Christian County trailed throughout the opening quarter, but a three-pointer by KJ Vaughn pulled the Colonels to within four at 11-7.
Ja’Sean Riley’s three-pointer gave the Colonels their first lead at 19-18 midway through the second. The Mustangs surged back in front before a Miles three tied it up at 24-24. But Jack McCune scored on the baseline for the final points of the half to send the Mustangs to the locker room up a basket.
Derrell Bateman scored five straight after the break for a three-point Colonel advantage. Jack Bradley’s triple restored the Mustangs edge, but Christian County was still within a point after Bateman’s third three-pointer of the frame.
McCracken County ctook control for good with six straight points to end the third, capped by a buzzer-beating three by Bradley for a 43-36 score.
Christian County’s Prince Northington and McCune traded three-pointers and the Mustangs led by eight midway through the final quarter. Miles’ third three of the quarter cut the McCracken advantage to four with :15 left to play, but the Colonels couldn’t get any closer.
McCune led all scorers with 21. He was joined in double figures for the Mustangs by Jackson Klope with 14, and Carson Purvis with 12.
Miles poured in 13 in the fourth quarter to finish with 18, and Bateman scored 16.
McCracken improved to 15-1, while the Colonels slipped to 10-9 with Hopkinsville set to visit on Saturday. Christian County won the first matchup with the Tigers 62-60 back on December 17.
McCracken County 11 15 17 15 — 58
Christian County 7 17 12 16 — 52
McCracken County (15-1) — McCune 21, Klope 14, Purvis 12, Bradley 8, Jackson 2, Parish 1
Christian County (10-9) — Miles 18, Bateman 16, Northington 6, Vaughn 6, Riley 3, Sanders 3
