MTC senior stars too much for Viqueens

It was close but no cigar for the Community Viqueens on Monday night in a 55-41 home loss to District 9-A foe Middle Tennessee Christian.

The Viqueens (13-12, 5-9 9-A) battled the visitors basket for basket throughout the first three quarters, but a combined 30-point effort by seniors Kate Mullins and Alex Martin was more than they could overcome.

Courtney Vassar hit a trey and Katie Leverette, Megan Busbee and Brittany Leverette gave Community a brief lead, but Martin netted six points and Julia Howard contributed four to give the Lady Cougars a 14-10 advantage as the first quarter concluded.

The game remained a see-saw battle in the second period with Aubrey Boyce getting in the scoring column with four points and Katie Leverette matching that total to keep the Viqueens within 23-20 at intermission.

Turnovers cost the Purple and Gold despite a strong start in the third period. MTC's pressure defense began to cause some bad decisions by inexperienced ballhandlers that cost them some easy points in transition.

Mullins had seven points in the quarter with baskets by Martin, Howard, Sara Sims and Devan Welker in support for the Orange and White to bump the lead 39-28 going to the final stanza.

Community fought its way back to within eight at the 5:44 mark but could not get over the hump as the Lady Cougars hit 12-of-16 free throws in the closing minutes.

Mullins led all scorers with 18 and Martin added 12.

The Viqueens were led by Boyce with 11 points.

Community made an impressive 15-of-20 shots from the charity stripe. MTC matched the percentage with 16-of-21 shots from the line.

The Viqueens welcome Culleoka tonight at 6. Community won the first meeting 48-30 on Jan. 5.

The fifth-seeded Viqueens battle No. 4-seed Cascade in the first round of the district tournament in Chapel Hill on Friday afternoon at 5:30. MTC takes on Huntland at 8:30.