After scoring only 14 points in the first half, Republic solved the Marshfield defense and applied a little defense of its own in a 46-32 win. The Tigers outscored Marshfield 32-12 in the second half to beat the Blue Jays for a third time this season.
Republic struggled offensively in a sloppy first half for both teams. The Tigers didn’t score until more than five minutes into the game on a Cody Geiger bucket. The Tigers trailed 20-14 at halftime.
But after the break, Republic’s guard play excelled. Payton Looney scored 7 points and Nick Yocum had six, on two 3-pointers, in the third period, as the Tigers nabbed a 31-25 lead going into the final quarter.
The defense continued to apply pressure on the Blue Jays, allowing only 7 points in the fourth quarter as Republic pulled away.
Nick Yocum had 13 points and Cody Geiger had 10 to lead Republic in scoring.
The Tigers advance to play Rogersville in the tournament championship game Friday night at 9 p.m. The Tigers beat the Wildcats in the Republic Invitational at the beginning of the season.