Shots don't fall for Viqueens in road defeat

MURFRESBORO -- If the Middle Tennessee Christian gym was an ocean, the Community Viqueens couldn't have thrown a ball into it during their District 9-A basketball game Tuesday night.

The Lady Cougars won the game 58-41 with a dominant performance on the boards and outstanding shooting from the floor to sweep the season series.

Middle Tennessee took a commanding 16-4 lead after one period behind red-hot shooter Alex Martin, who had nine points including a 3-pointer.

"We spotted them a huge lead and were never able to recover," Viqueen coach Allison Layne said. "I was disappointed with our response the rest of the way."

The Viqueens picked it up offensively but the home team kept the pedal to the metal to open a 33-20 advantage at the half.

Community made an attempt at cutting into the lead, but each time that they would start to get into some semblance of an offensive flow it would come to a screeching halt via a whistle or a turnover. The third quarter ended in a 43-31 Lady Cougar lead.

"We played hard in spurts but that is simply not acceptable," Layne said. "We walked the ball upcourt and stood around on defense way too much to compete with a good team.

"I didn't feel that we had five girls on the floor at any given time who was on the same page tonight."

Middle Tennessee hit 9-of-11 free throws in the fourth quarter to finish out the game.

Martin finished with 21 to lead both rosters in scoring. Sara Sims added 13.

Aubrey Boyce led the Community effort with 11.

Community takes to the road again on Friday with a trip to McMinnville to take on district opponent Boyd Christian. Tip off is at 6.