PULASKI - The Community Vikings erased a first-quarter deficit with 20 points in each of the second and third quarters and went on to defeat the Giles County Bobcats 64-55 in a District 12-AA basketball contest Tuesday night.

The win was big for the Vikings in the district standings. Community (16-7, 7-2 D12AA) clinched at least second place and a bye in the opening round of the District 12-AA tournament. The Vikings also secured a spot in the Region 6-AA tournament.

It was a tough sledding for the Vikings as the Bobcats gained the upper hand in the opening quarter. Giles County led for the entire quarter and took a 16-9 lead to the second quarter.

The Vikings used their height to their advantage in the quarter. Will Reed scored six points as Community moved the ball well and posted in the lane. Meanwhile, Stratton Lovvorn nailed two treys and had eight points as the Vikings took their first lead at 22-20 with 3:28 left and led 29-27 at the intermission.

"Our guards are pretty good size and we really tried to focus on going to the block," Coach Robbie Davis of the Vikings said. "That's our game anyway, inside then out."

Community picked up where it left off to start the third quarter. With Reed scoring 10 points and Lovvorn adding two more three-pointers, the Vikings went on a 14-0 run and took a 43-29 lead with 4:04 left. The Vikings ended the quarter with a 49-38 lead.

"When they would score a basket in the second or third quarter, we would transition on the other end and shoot a layup," Davis said. "Our guys are good about turning an opponent's score right back at them."

The Bobcats would not go away in the fourth quarter. Four points from Evan Petrie helped keep the Vikings ahead, but a Bobcat trey put Giles County to within six at 58-52 with 41 seconds left.

With time running out, the Bobcats fouled Reed on three consecutive possessions. The senior made all six of his free throws as Community went up 62-52 before settling for the 9-point win.

Reed scored 25 points to lead three Vikings in double figures. Lovvorn had 14 points while Petrie added 11.

Jake Cardin led the Bobcats with 20 points.

The Vikings were 14-of-21 at the free throw line while Giles County made all four of its foul shots.

"This is a tough place to play and when they get rolling, they can score the basketball," Davis said.

"Got a little sketchy at the end. We're taking shots that I wouldn't recommend, but we rebounded their misses a lot better in the second half," Davis added.

"It's a huge win."

Community travels to Central Magnet Friday night at 7:30 p.m. to conclude its district and regular season.

Community 9 20 20 15 - 64

Giles Co. 16 11 11 17 - 55

Community: Will Reed 25, Stratton Lovvorn 14, Evan Petrie 11, Jackson Bailey 6, Jacob Cooper 6, Maki Fleming 2, Emery Smith.

Giles Co.: Jake Cardin 20, J. C. Brown 10, Jaceion Coffey 8, Jack Harper 7, Matt King 2, Joe Dangerfield 4, Carter Kelley 2, Kamauri Turner 2, Clay Mitchell.

3-Point goals: Community (6): Lovvorn 4, Reed, Cooper; Giles Co. (5): Cardin 2, Brown 2, Harper.

Halftime score: Community 29, Giles Co. 27.