The Republic Lady Tigers played one of their sloppiest games of the year. But Marshfield was even sloppier, and Republic came back from a late deficit to escape with a 59-54 win Monday night.
With about 4:30 left in the game, Marshfield led by three points. But Alex Botkin hit a jumper on the baseline and Alexis Edwards followed with a pair of free throws to give Republic the lead. Marshfield briefly took the lead 54-53, but an Edwards baseline jumper put Republic back on top 55-54, and the Lady Tigers never trailed again.
After getting a stop on defense, Sarah Kruel was fouled and made one of two free throws. Kyra Ramsey stole the ball immediately after Kruel’s miss, and was fouled. She hit two free throws to give Republic a 58-54 lead.
A good defensive stand by Republic forced Marshfield to waste 30 seconds without getting off a shot, before coach Gary Murphy called a timeout. Republic forced a turnover and put the game away with a free throw by Botkin.
The two teams combined for 17 turnovers in the 1st quarter, and Republic missed several point-blank shots before getting its first points of the night. Marshfield led 10-8 after one quarter.
Republic’s offense got untracked in the second quarter, as they outscored Marshfield 19-14 to take a 27-24 lead at halftime. A three-pointer by Brooke Dutton on Republic’s final possession gave the Lady Tigers the lead at the break.
After three quarters, Republic led 47-44, but Marshfield used hot shooting to take a lead midway through the final period. The Lady Jays drained 12 3-pointers on the night. Marshfield’s Amanda Gourley led the way with 23 points. Lauren Aldridge scored 14.
For Republic, the attack was more balanced. Alexis Edwards had 12 points and Payton Rayl added 10. Alex Botkin scored 9 points. Kyra Ramsey had 8. Brooke Dutton and Sarah Kruel had 7 each. Alice Heinzler scored 4 points, and Emily McDaniel added 2.
The Lady Tigers improve to 10-5 this season. Marshfield falls to 8-7.
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