After losi
ng successive games against the best two basketball teams in the O-K Silver Conference, the Hopkins guys turned things around Friday night with a 72-65 victory at Kelloggsville.
The Vikings claimed their fifth triumph of the season against seven defeats and they are now 3-2 in league play.
Coach Darrin Smith’s squad took a slim lead of 15-14 at the close of the first quarter and led 36-32 at intermission. The Vikings widened the gap to 50-41 after three, holing the Rockets to single digit figures in that eight-minute stretch.
Senior guard Ryan Pierce had the biggest offensive night of his career, nailing down 34 points. Pierce hit an offensive slump in December and didn’t even score in one game, but since the holiday break has been leading the Hopkins offense.
While it was Pierce from the outside, senior forward Tyler Schulz did his thing inside and picked up 20 points and gathered nine rebounds.
Isaac Kukulies and Grant Stevens both chipped in six points.
Jacob Nelson had 15 points for Kelloggsville, Jhay Levi-Alford had 11 and Jose Gonzales and Austin Jackson 10 apiece.
The Hopkins boys will be at home Tuesday evening for a non-league contest with Allegan.
PHOTO: Ryan Pierce