Republic scored just six points in the 1st quarter, and never got their offense on track, as they suffered a 46-35 loss to Rogers, Ark.
Rogers used its height advantage and physical defense to stifle Republic offensively. The Mountaineers focused their defensive efforts on stopping the Tigers’ leading scorer, Kevin Stander — and Republic couldn’t find a consistent answer in the first half. When Josh Anderson banked in a 30-footer at the buzzer, Rogers took a 26-15 lead into the locker room at halftime.
For a brief stretch of the 3rd quarter, Republic solved the Mountaineer defense. Stander hit three quick 3-pointers, and at the end of the third period, Republic had cut the lead to six, 32-26.
But Rogers answered by scoring the first five points of the fourth quarter, and never looked back. Republic had the ball, down by 7, with just under a minute left, but never got any closer.
The Mountaineers were led by Josh Anderson, with 13 points. Tanner Kaza added 12, and Wyatt Hively had 7.
Republic’s leading scorer, Kevin Stander, had 12 points. Nick Yocum scored 7 points. Josh Morrow had 5 points, and Dylan Fletcher and Nick Dibbens had 4 apiece.
Republic falls to 1-1. They play Rogersville Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in the 3rd place game of the Republic Invitational.
Rogers is 4-0. They meet Nixa in the championship game at 3 p.m.