[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Republic caught fire in the 3rd quarter, pulling away from Neosho on the road for a 65-45 win Tuesday night. Treydon Rackley scored 24 points and Ty Stevens had 22 to lead the Tigers.
Republic led 15-10 after one quarter and 27-24 at halftime. In the 3rd quarter, they came out red hot, making five three-pointers and out-scoring Neosho 25-12 to build a 16-point lead, 52-36. Rackley and Stevens scored 19 of the Tigers’ 25 points in the quarter.
Coach Trevyor Fisher says a lack of defensive intensity carried over to the offensive end in a sluggish 1st half.
“In the 1st half, we got good open looks. We just missed a lot of shots around the basket. We didn’t play through contact very well. We missed some wide-open threes,” he says. “I still think that goes back to how we play defensively. We weren’t getting stops, therefore we kind of panicked offensively.”
Unlike previous games, it wasn’t the defense that sparked the Tigers this time around. Shots started to fall, and Republic built a solid lead.
“The 2nd half was a little unusual. Offensively, we came to life, but our defense didn’t get much better,” Fisher says. “The last two games, for whatever reason, we’ve gotten away from doing the little things that have made us successful on the defensive end of the floor. We need to get back to the basics and try to figure that out.”
In addition to the 46 combined points by Rackley and Stevens, Republic got six each from Broc Smith and Devon Ward, five from Mitch Coiner, and two from Caleb Singley.
The Tigers improve to 14-5 overall. They’re 2-0 in the Central Ozark Conference.
[/vc_column_text][vc_message message_box_color=”orange” icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-money” css=”.vc_custom_1481382567027{margin-top: 20px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”]
Find out how you can get $25 worth of free photos as a subscriber to Republic Tiger Sports magazine. Sign up now, before this offer runs out![/vc_message][/vc_column][vc_column css_animation=”appear” width=”1/3″ typography_style=”white” css=”.vc_custom_1485921022466{border-top-width: 3px !important;border-right-width: 3px !important;border-bottom-width: 3px !important;border-left-width: 3px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;padding-right: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;background-color: #9e9e9e !important;border-left-color: #dd890b !important;border-left-style: solid !important;border-right-color: #dd890b !important;border-right-style: solid !important;border-top-color: #dd890b !important;border-top-style: solid !important;border-bottom-color: #dd890b !important;border-bottom-style: solid !important;border-radius: 1px !important;}”][vc_column_text]
Crackerjack Shack Player of the Game
At halftime, Tigers were locked in a close game on the road at Neosho. In the 3rd quarter, Treydon Rackley and Ty Stevens took over. They combined for 19 points (and 5 three-pointers) in the 3rd quarter to help Republic pull away, and they are our Crackerjack Shack Co-Players of the Game.
Our Tiger Player of the Game Honor is sponsored by the Crackerjack Shack. When it comes to Screen Printing, Embroidery, and Promotional Products, they’ve got your back! Check out their website for sales and design ideas.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Get every story delivered.
Tiger Wire — Republic sports news, free every morning.