Hopkins Ends Hornets' 16-Game Win Streak

Edina came out strong and took the game to top-ranked Hopkins for the first nine minutes of the game. After that, it was all Hopkins as the No. 1 Royals put on a dominating performance in a 68-46 win Tuesday over the previously undfeated Hornets.

Hopkins improved to 16-0 on the season. Edina fell to 16-1.

"They're good," Edina coach Matt Nilsen said of the Royals. "They're so athletic and long and skilled. They've kind of got the total package. There's not a lot of weaknesses there. They're deep. They're very well coached. It's a tough battle to prepare for them."

Edina stormed out to a 14-4 lead with 11:17 to play in the first half and were taking the game to the Royals, who seemed a step slow at the start.

Hopkins then turned everything around, frustrating the Hornets with an aggressive zone defense and clicking offensively from both the outside and on the inside. The Royals went on a 23-2 tear to take a 27-16 lead with three minutes to play in the first half.

Hopkins put on a dominating performance, but it didn't help Edina's cause that junior guard and team captain MC McGrory missed the contest.

"Their defense was tough," Nilsen said. "Their half-court trap was real tough, and we are without our leading scorer right now and it makes it really hard. And we've got some kids that are coming into some roles now. which makes it really exciting, but they're not used to this yet. Which is encouraging. This can really be a positive for us if we can take this and get better and that's what we're planning on doing."

Hopkins led 35-23 at the break and kept up the pace to start the second half, outscoring Edina 11-0 for a 46-23 lead and the game was essentially over.

The scary part for the Royals' remaining foes is that coach Brian Cosgriff thinks his team's best basketball "is ahead of us."

"We played hard," Cosgriss said. "I just think we came into a pretty tough environment to play, played hard and we were able to survive. We're happy with the outcome, but we still have a ton of work in front of us." 

Nia Coffey had 15 points and Viria Livingston 14 to lead a balanced Hopkins offense. TT Starks scored nine, Mikaala Shackelford eight, Sydney Coffey eight and Taylor Anderson seven.

Junior guard Vivian Engen scored 12 to lead Edina. Seniors and Lindsey Johnson added nine points each.

Edina continues Lake Conference play when the team hosts fifth-ranked Eden Prairie (13-2, 1-1) Friday at 7 p.m. Eden Prairie defeated Wayzata 44-32 Tuesday.