MURFREESBORO – Trying to get a win on the road, especially in District 12-AA, is not always an easy task.

The Community Vikings found that out Tuesday night as the Central Magnet Tigers gave the Vikings all they could handle before Community used a strong defensive effort down the stretch and cashed in on some clutch free throws to claim a 56-50 victory.

Community (22-1, 5-0 D12AA), which entered the game as the state’s 6th ranked team in the AP Class 2A poll, never trailed but saw a 10-point halftime lead erased as the Tigers tied the game in the second half.

The Vikings found the inside game to their liking in the opening quarter. Kobe Pride scored seven points while Corde Lane added four as Community took a 16-11 lead after one quarter. Pride scored six points in the second quarter as the Vikings increased their lead to 32-22 at halftime.

Points were hard to come by for the Vikings in the third quarter as the Tigers mounted a rally. Pride led the way with six of the 12 points for Community, but Central Magnet connected on three treys and tied the game at 40-40 with 1:34 left. A late basket by Pride gave the Vikings a 44-42 advantage heading to the final quarter.

With a 47-46 lead and 4:10 left, the Vikings took some time off the clock on their possessions. Community went to the free throw line often as the Tigers were forced to foul. The Vikings responded with an 8-of-11 performance at the line while the Community defense held the Tigers to four points. The Vikings stretched their lead to eight and survived to go undefeated through the first half of district play.

Pride led the Vikings with 20 points while Tyrese Eady added 10.

Jayden Hernandez led Central Magnet with 13 points.

The Vikings finished 9-of-16 from the free throw line while the Tigers were 2-of-9.

“It was a good atmosphere and their guys came out and played really hard,” Coach Robbie Davis of the Vikings said.

“It was a very, very physical game. It’s been awhile since we’ve been in one of those,” Davis added.

“Our guards did a really good job. Our guards understand time and score,” Davis said.

“That’s the great thing about having juniors and seniors out there. We didn’t force a bad shot and they had to foul us.”

Community entertains Marshall County for homecoming Friday night at 7:30 p.m.

Community 16 16 12 12 - 56

Central Magnet 11 11 20 8 - 50

Community: Kobe Pride 20, Tyrese Eady 10, Corde Lane 8, Will Reed 7, Alex Mitchell 2, Stratton Lovvorn 4, Jackson Bailey 3, Evan Petrie 2, Elijah Pope.

Central Magnet: Jayden Hernandez 13, Micah Harris 11, Gage Swanson, Fant Smith, Avery Lambert, Alec Ingraham 11, Jack Smith 8, Kyle Messerly 3, Josh Lee 2, Corey Greeson 2.

3-Point goals: Community (1): Reed; Central Magnet (6): Ingraham 3, Smith 2, Messerly.

Halftime score: Community 32, Central Magnet 22.