Lexus Williams dominated inside to lead North Little Rock to a 60-49 win over Republic in the first round of the KTXR Lady Classic in Springfield. Williams scored 29 points, pulled down 10 rebounds, and blocked five shots.
Republic used hot shooting by Alice Heinzler to stay in the game early. Heinzler hit two three-pointers and had eight points in the first quarter. She finished with a team-high 16 for the Lady Tigers. After one period, North Little Rock led 15-13.
Republic outscored the Lady Charging Wildcats 15-14 in the second quarter, and went into the halftime break railing 29-28.
The Lady Tigers took the lead for a while in the 3rd quarter, but North Little Rock’s physical style of play eventually wore down Republic, and the Lady Charging Wildcats began to pull away. At the end of three periods, North Little Rock led 44-36.
In the 4th quarter, North Little Rock built a double-digit lead early. Republic cut the lead to seven points with about three minutes left, but could get no closer.
Besides Heinzler, no other Lady Tigers were in double figures in scoring. Brooke Dutton and Sarah Kreul had 8 points apiece.
Republic falls to 6-1. They will play Wednesday at 5:30 against the loser of the Glendale/Stockton game.
