The Hopkins boys’ varsity basketball team absorbed a 66-37 defeat at the hands of O-K Silver Conference rival Northpointe Christian Tuesday evening.

Northpointe jumped out to a big 17-0 lead at the end of the first quarter and put the Vikings into a deep hole early. Hopkins battled back and and out scored the Mustangs 19-9 in the second period to close the gap to 26-19 at intermission.

“That second quarter was probably some of our best basketball of the season so far,” said coach Darrin Smith. “We could not keep it going in the second half and Northpointe extended its lead.

Jake Sapp scored 17 points and hauled down eight rebounds for the Vikings. Tyler Baker scored 22points and Spencer Peterson added 15.

Hopkins will play at Kelloggsville Friday evening to close out its league season and the team will play next Tuesday against Maple Valley to finish the regular season. The Vikings now are 3-15 overall.