Community's Marissa Jones tries to get a shot off between a pair of Middle Tennessee Christian defenders on Friday. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

MURFREESBORO -- Jessica Thompson's bucket less than a minute into the fourth quarter gave Community a 37-32 lead over District 9-A foe Middle Tennessee Christian.

The Lady Cougar defense tightened up afterwards and held the Viqueens scoreless for the next 6:13 and responded offensively with a 12-0 run.

"We were taking the ball to the basket, but we just couldn't stick it in the hole," Viqueen coach Tony Garrette said. "I was real proud of my kids. We played a heckuva basketball game against a heckuva basketball team."

Middle Tennessee Christian used a dominant effort at the foul line to close out the contest and head home with a 48-39 win.

"We quit putting the ball in the basket," Garrette said. "We just couldn't get to the free-throw line there in the fourth quarter. That was a big difference in the game."

In similar fashion to this season's first matchup, the Lady Cougars were 24-for-36 unguarded from 15 feet away whereas Community (17-5, 5-5 9-A) was 7-of-10.

MTC (17-6, 8-2) was held to three field goals in the final frame but hit 12-of-13 at the charity stripe.

The visitors didn't attempt a free throw in the second half.

"This is a tough place to play over here," Garrette said. "Our kids handled it well. They're going to build a new gym for next year so maybe it won't be as tough."

A 3-pointer by Carly Daffern two minutes into the third quarter capped a 7-0 run and put the Viqueens up 26-23.

Andriana Jones scored 24 seconds before the start of the final period to put Community in front 35-30.

The Purple and Gold owned the paint and glass for much of the contest and held the Lady Cougars to one-shot possessions on numerous occasions.

"I felt like we executed our game plan just like we wanted to," Garrette said. "We rebounded really well tonight. Our defense was excellent. We didn't play very good defense against them last time we played. We got out to the shooters. We played hard against the post players."

Thompson totaled 13 points and six rebounds. Kassidy Lane contributed nine boards.

Amy Mullins led Middle Tennessee Christian with 11 points, including 5-of-6 at the free-throw line. Katie McKnight tallied 10 points, all on free throws. Samantha Barrett contributed 10 as well.

Van Buren County, who shares second place in 9-A with the Lady Cougars, are next up for Community on Tuesday in Unionville.

"We need another Eagleville loss or one more win for us to finish fourth," said Garrette of the district standings. "Getting a home game in the first round would be a big deal."