Republic went back-and-forth with Waynesville all night, but the Lady Tigers scored the last five points of the game to nab a 49-44 victory in their home opener Thursday. Taylor Fergen scored 21 points and Brylee Manes had 12 to lead the Lady Tigers.
Republic trailed by three, 16-13, after the 1st quarter. The game was tied 26-26 at halftime, only because Fergen’s off-balance jumper took a friendly bounce high into the air off the back iron, then dropped through the hoop as time expired.
In the 3rd quarter, Waynesville stretched its lead to five points at one time, but the Lady Tigers clawed their way back into the game on the strength of their perimeter defense. Every time Waynesville had a chance to put some distance between themselves and Republic, the Lady Tigers seemed to force a key turnover and score at the other end.
“That may be the consistent thing we have going right now is defensively,” says coach Kris Flood. “We are holding teams in the 40s for the most part, and extremely athletic ~ extremely quick. We knew coming in we were going to maybe have a hard time, especially if we had to match up keep them in front and keep them contained.”
As the 3rd quarter drew to a close, it was another turnover that helped Republic even the score again. After the Lady Tigers got the ball back, Manes hit a shot on Republic’s last possession of the period to draw the teams even at 37 apiece.
In the 4th quarter, the lead changed hands three times before two Waynesville free throws knotted the game 44-44. Republic scored its next four points off turnovers: two free throws by Allyson Barrett and two by Fergen. Manes added a free-throw in the last few seconds to account for the final margin.
“The last four or five games, we’ve had games like this,” says Flood, “and these kids somehow… get some stops when we need it.”
Both teams struggled with their shooting. Waynesville shot 38% from the floor (15 for 39) and Republic shot 36% (17 for 47). Waynesville made four of 12 three-pointers, while Republic made five of 17. At the line, Waynesville made 10 of 19 and Republic made 10 of 17.
Republic turned the ball over 17 times to 15 for Waynesville, but Republic had a slight edge in rebounding, 34 to 28.
Republic improves to 5-2. The Lady Tigers travel to Springfield Kickapoo next Monday just face the defending state champions–the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last season.
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Player of the Game
Taylor Fergen scored 21 points, including two free throws to help put the game away down the stretch. Her offensive performance made her tonight’s Player of the Game.
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