After rallying from 10 points down in the fourth quarter to force overtime, the Hopkinsville Tigers looked to have Kenwood right where they wanted them in the opening minutes of overtime. The Tigers scored the first five points of the extra period and took a 63-58 lead. But the old adage of ‘it ain’t over til the final horn’ proved all too true for the Hopkinsville Tigers Saturday night.
The Golden Knights scored 7 points over the final 13.8 seconds to complete an overtime rally and take a 72-66 win over the Tigers. The loss ended a two-game winning streak for the Tiger.
In a final minute that featured lead changes and ties, Hopkinsville took a 66-65 lead on a goaltending call against Kenwood on a shot from Jayvon Bass with 27.5 seconds left.
The Tigers were called for a foul with 13.8 seconds left and Jaylen Hill made 2 of 2 at the line to give the Golden Knights a 67-66 lead. And then disaster struck for Hopkinsville.
After a timeout, Kenwood stole the inbounds pass and Sauce James scored a layup with 7.2 seconds left to extend the Golden Knights’ lead to 69-66. But still, it was a one possession game. But then lightning struck the same place twice.
After another timeout, Kenwood’s Christian Taylor stole the ball, scored the layup, and drew a foul for a three-point play, and just like that it was game to the Knights.
The night got off to a bumpy start for the Tigers as they were charged with 9 turnovers in the first 8 minutes. That enabled Kenwood to overcome five miscues of its own and take a 12-7 lead after the opening quarter.
Baskets from Jonovan Leavell and Layton Giltner pulled the Tigers even at 12-12 early in the second. Kenwood responded by going on a 10-0 run to take a 22-12 lead. The Tigers battled back to as close as one before a late three-pointer from Isaiah Locklear gave Kenwood at 29-25 halftime lead.
Getting a spark from James Bradley Jr. and Jayon Bass, Hopkinsville opened the third by pulling even at 29-29 and 31-31. The Tigers trailed only 37-36 when the Golden Knights went on a 7-0 run to take a 44-36 lead. The lead would be 46-40 when the third quarter ended.
Two quick baskets to open the fourth pushed the lead back out to double digits for Kenwood at 50-40. Hopkinsville, cranking up the defensive heat, made a 16-6 run to draw even late in the game at 56-56. The two teams traded out trips to the free throw line before Marquise Andeson missed a shot at the buzzer to end regulation at 58-58.
Jonovan Leavell led the Tigers with 16 points, including four 3-pointers. James Bradley Jr. ended up with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds. Jayon Bass had 11 points and 7 rebounds. All 11 points came in the second half and overtime. TaShaun Quarles contributed 10 points and 5 rebounds.
In addition to his big play at the end, Christian Taylor had a big night for Kenwood with 25 points. Kaleb Session added 15 points.
Hopkinsville (7-7) goes on the road Tuesday to take on the Owensboro Red Devils.
