Jonathan Hart’s 4-point play was the key moment for the Hopkinsville Tigers in turning back a Logan County rally Monday night as the Tigers took a 70-62 win over the Cougars in Tiger Gym. The win ended a two-game losing skid for Hopkinsville and put an end to a five-game winning streak for Logan County.
The Cougars had cut an 11-point second half Hopkinsville lead to 57-53 midway through the fourth quarter when Hart went up for the three and was fouled on the shot, turning the four-point lead into a 61-53 margin in favor of the Tigers. Logan County got no closer than six points after that.
The Tigers got on the board very quickly in this one. After controlling the opening tip, Hopkinsville got the ball to Jonathan Hart, who promptly drilled a three from the right corner to put the Tigers in front 3-0 just five seconds into the game.
Behind the play of Hart and a strong start inside from big man Layton Giltner, Hopkinsville would extend the lead out to 11-4 midway through the opening quarter.
Logan County battled back getting 5 points off the bench in the opening quarter from Damani Goodloe and the Cougars cut the margin to four at 17-13 at the end of the first quarter.
After the spark from Goodloe to end the first, Nicholas Thomas and Nicholas Blann got going to start the second quarter for the Cougars. Logan County got to the lead for the first time in the game at 22-21. But the lead was short-lived.
A three from Jonovan Leavell, a three from Jonathan Hart, another three from Leavell, and a basket from Deavery Ramey made up an 11-0 blitz that got Hopkinsville back in front 32-22. The Tigers would carry a 33-26 lead into the locker room at the half.
James Bradley Jr. and Deavery Ramey came out in the third quarter and gave the Tigers a big spark. Hopkinsville took the 7-point halftime lead and pushed it out to 11 at 44-33 and looked to have all the momentum.
Logan County finished the third quarter on a 13-7 spurt and cut the lead down to 51-46 going into the final quarter.
The momentum for the Cougars carried over into the start of the fourth as they cut the lead to 51-50. It looked as if the Cougars had tied the game at 51 but the second of two free throws was waved off due to a lane violation.
Hopkinsville was able to push the lead back out to 57-53, setting the stage for Hart’s big shot.
The Tigers had four players finish in double figures. James Bradley Jr. had 15 points. Jonathan Hart finished with 14. Layton Giltner added 13 and had several big blocks down in the paint. Deavery Ramey also reached double figures with 12.
Nicholas Blann was the leading scorer for Logan County with 14 points. Samson Hightower ended up with 12 points. Davis Switzer just missed double figures with 9.
Hopkinsville improves to 7-12 with the win. The Tigers will go across town Friday night to take on Christian County.
