Staff Report
FAYETTEVILLE — After falling behind 19-8 in the first quarter, the Community Vikings cut the Fayetteville lead to just two possessions late, but couldn’t get over the hump as the Tigers outlasted the Purple and Gold 49-43 in the season opener.
The Tigers burst out of the gates, guns blazing and drilled four treys in the first quarter to spur the 19-point frame.
Teandre Love and Kentius Henderson both knocked down a pair of triples in the opening quarter and Samuel Willoughby added five more.
After trailing 19-8 in the first, the Tigers only managed seven points in the second quarter, while Community trimmed the hosts’ lead to six points by halftime.
Maki Fleming knocked down five points, including a trey, while Austin Sticker scored five of his seven points in the second quarter.
But for the final two quarters, the Vikings played the Tigers even as both teams scored 23 points in the second half.
The Vikings worked their way to the line, but managed just 9-of-17 tries, while Fayetteville made good on 8-of-10 attempts, with a 7-of-8 effort coming in the second half.
Fleming led all scorers with 13 points while Landon Lovvorn added 12.
For Fayetteville, Love was the only player to reach double figures, but Willoughby, Latral Brown and Eli Groce each added nine points in the win.
The Vikings look to Friday night for another road game at Harpeth for their first win of the season.
Community 8 12 9 14 — 43
Fayetteville 19 7 9 14 — 49
Community: Maki Fleming 13, Landon Lovvorn 12, Austin Stickler 7, Judd O’Neal 5, Landon Berman 4, Gunnar McGowan 2.
Fayetteville: Teandre Love 10, Samuel Willoughby 9 Latral Brown 9, Eli Groce 9, Kentius Henderson 8, Phillip Bonner 2, Amariyea Kelso 2.
3-Point goals: Fayetteville (7): Groce 3 Love 2, Henderson 2; Community (2): Fleming, Lovvorn.
Halftime score: Fayetteville 26, Community 20.
