Third-quarter struggle hurts Viqueens

Community coach Allison Layne addresses her team with intensity during a second half timeout against Cornersville on Tursday night. (T-G Photo by Jimmy Jones) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

CORNERSVILLE -- In a see-saw battle with both visiting Community and Cornersville exchanging leads early on, the home team eventually held on to win 47-39 in a Hall of Fame game Tuesday night.

Freshmen Megan Smith and Katie Leverette scored 11 of the Viqueens' 13 first-quarter points as they trailed 14-13 when the second stanza opened.

The lead exchanged hands four times in the second quarter but the Lady Bulldogs placed eight players in the scoring column in a well-balanced attack to enjoy a 28-20 lead at intermission.

"We started the game with good intensity," Viqueen coach Allison Layne said. "We were able to hit some shots and it sort of helped our team relax a little bit and just play ball. We had some turnovers to close out the half that hurt us big time because they ended up getting some easy shots out of it."

What had been a well-played offensive game came to a screeching halt in the third quarter as the Viqueens managed just three field goals. Meanwhile, the Lady Dawgs got a 3-ponter from Brittny Wheeler and placed five scorers in the book to start the final period up by a 40-29 count.

The Viqueens put together a 4-0 run to begin the frame but the home team was not going to be denied in front of a large crowd clamoring for their first win of the new campaign.

"We missed 12 shots from down in the paint area," Layne said. "We shot poorly from the free throw line and didn't take care of the ball very well in the final two quarters. The results speak for themselves."

Aubrey Boyce tied for top honors with 14 points for Community. Smith added nine.

The Lady Bulldogs got 14 from Sara Nelms and 11 out of Courtney Cook.