UNIONVILLE – It was a seesaw game that saw 17 lead changes, but in the end the Community Viqueens took their final lead after connecting on the opening basket of the fourth quarter and used a strong defensive effort to defeat the Eagleville Lady Eagles 53-46 in a basketball contest Monday night.

The biggest margin was five points through the first three quarters before the Viqueens opened some daylight in the deciding quarter.

The Lady Eagles scored the first five points of the game, but Community (5-4) fought back. M.J. Simmons scored 12 points in the paint as the Viqueens rallied to take a 17-15 lead after one quarter.

The Viqueens took their biggest lead at 23-19 in the second quarter, but Eagleville scored five straight points to regain the lead. Both teams traded leads before ending the half in a 26-26 tie.

Simmons had five points and Jesa Moore and Breanna Whitaker each had a three-pointer as Community once again went up by four in the third quarter, but two Lady Eagle treys gave Eagleville a 40-39 advantage heading to the final quarter.

The Viqueens gained the momentum with the first seven points of the quarter to take a 46-40 lead. Brianna Beech scored five points as Community proceeded to spread its offense out over the final four minutes while protecting its lead. The strategy paid off as the Viqueens increased their lead to nine points while holding the Lady Eagles to six fourth quarter points.

Simmons scored 24 points to lead the Viqueens.

Anna Grace Clement led Eagleville with 21 points.

"Just the way the game was going, you knew it was going to come down to that fourth quarter, who got more rebounds, who hit more shots, and who defended the best," Coach Cody Pierce of the Viqueens said.

After coming off a loss on the road to Moore County, Pierce saw an inspired effort by his team.

"We've had a hard time guarding people," Pierce said. "What we did tonight was a huge step for us."

"To turn around and do this, that shows how much they care."

Community faced Huntland on Wednesday evening, however results were unavailable by press time.

Eagleville 15 11 14 6 — 46

Community 17 9 13 14 — 53

Eagleville: Anna Grace Clement 21, Makayla Moates 18, Lizzy Thompson 4, Mary Elise Lynch 3, Haylee Ferguson, Hannah Hailey, Summer Cooper, Hillary Treece, Kylie Vaughn, Mallory Speilman.

Community: M.J. Simmons 24, Brianna Beech 7, Aleah Wilson 6, Jesa Moore 3, Payton Davis 2, Zoey Dixon 7, Breanna Whitaker 3, Addison Brothers 1, Shelby Cawthon.

3-Point goals: Eagleville (5): Moates 4, Lynch; Community (4): Beech, Dixon, Moore, Whitaker.

Halftime score: Community 26, Eagleville 26.