The Republic Tigers pulled away down the stretch in a physical game at Cassville, beating the Wildcats 57-41.
Nick Yocum had 20 points for the Tigers, and Canyon Smith had 8. Grant Hancock had 11 rebounds.
The game was close for most of the first half. The Tigers fell behind early, but clawed back to tie the game 12-12 after one period.
With the game tied at 24, the Tigers went on an 11-2 run to take a 35-26 lead into the halftime break.
The game stayed close through the 3rd quarter, with Republic holding the lead most of the way. The Tigers took their first double-digit lead at 47-36, with 5:15 left in the game. Three minutes later, a pair of free throws and a breakaway layup by Canyon Smith stretched the lead to 15, and the Tigers salted the game away.
Republic improves to 4-1 on the season. They play again next Friday at Monett.
Earlier in the night, the JV team beat Cassville 47-12.
