PINCKNEYVILLE — Despite scoring only nine points in the game’s final two and a half quarters, the Nashville Hornets held on to win at Pinckneyville 30-26 to clinch the SIRR Mississippi championship outright.

Nashville’s Saxton Hoepker scored 14 points to lead all scorers, but it was the Hornets’ defense that was enormous, especially in the second half.

Pinckneyville trailed 21-9 midway through the second quarter. The Panthers scored the final five points of the first half to cut Nashville’s lead to 21-14. Pinckneyville then scored the first five points of the third quarter and had multiple opportunities to tie or take the lead, but could not convert. The Hornets came up with timely steals, blocked shots, and rebounds to maintain their lead.

Nashville managed only three field goals in the second half. Isaac Turner’s rebound bucket and foul accounted for the Hornets’ three third quarter points. Hoepker had a two-handed slam and short jumper on back to back possessions plus two free throws for Nashville’s six fourth quarter points.

Both teams are now 21-4. Nashville is 6-0 in conference play. Pinckneyville falls to 5-2.

These same two teams could meet in a couple of weeks in the championship game of the Du Quoin 2A Regional.