[LeeCoUKFan]

Game 2: Southwestern rallies past Hoptown

Southwestern, playing in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in school history, looked shaky early but came on strong and beat Hopkinsville 52-41 in the first round of the state tournament in Rupp Arena Wednesday afternoon.

Southwestern Coach Steve Wright is no stranger here, though. He’s in his first season with the Warriors after 21 years at South Laurel, which he took to 6 state tournaments and won a state title in 2005. He also brought Laurel County to the Sweet Sixteen once.

Hopkinsville led 17-8 early in the second quarter before the game turned around. Southwestern closed the half on a 12-0 run to take a 20-17 lead. The Warriors continued to roll in the second half, eventually outscoring Hoptown 22-2.

Justin Epperson led the winners with 18 points and 6 rebounds. Justin Edwards and David Kapinga had 10 points each. Edwards also had 12 rebounds as Southwestern advanced to play Rowan County in Friday’s quarterfinals.

Hopkinsville was led by junior Jordan Majors’ 18 points. Demarius Henry had 10 points. The Tigers had a rough shooting day — they were 15-for-53 (28%) — and they had 25 turnovers.