Photo - Cory Brown, Design as a Hobby
The Hopkinsville Tigers put an end to their three-game losing skid Sunday afternoon, but they had to put in a little ‘overtime’ to do it. In fact, the Tigers had to double up on that overtime.
Jonovan Leavell’s 4-point play with less than three seconds to go in the second extra period turned out to be the difference for the Tigers, as Hopkinsville advanced to the 5th place game of the Ashland Invitational Sunday afternoon with a 91-90 double-overtime win over Lawrence County in the first and most likely last meeting between the two programs. Leavell’s game-winning points were part of a 15-point performance on the day.
The game was close throughout. Lawrence County led 18-17 after the opening quarter. The Bulldogs continued to hold a one-point lead at 36-35 at the break.
The Tigers came out of the break attacking from the outside and knocking down four 3-pointers in the third quarter and taking a 60-52 lead.
Back came Lawrence County in the fourth quarter. Led by a big effort from C.J. Waller, the Bulldogs rallied to tie the game at 74-74 after regulation.
Each team scored 8 points during the first overtime to leave things all knotted up at 82-82 going into the second overtime and setting the stage for Leavell’s late game heroics.
Jayvon Battle led five Tigers in double figures with 24 points. James Bradley Jr. finished with 16 points. Jayon Bass and Jonovan Leavell added 15 points each, while TaShaun Quarles had 12 points, all coming in the second quarter.
Kaiden Harris was the top scorer for Lawrence County with 29 points.
The 91 points was the second-highest offensive output of the season for the Tigers, who scored 92 points in back-to-back wins over Fort Campbell and Todd County Central.
The Tigers (6-6) will play in the 5th place game Monday afternoon at 4pm in Ashland.
