Four weeks ago, Republic outplayed Springfield Catholic for three quarters before a fourth-quarter collapse led to a loss in the championship game of the Blue and Gold tournament. Tuesday night, the Tigers closed the deal.
Republic clamped down in the fourth quarter, made the big plays at key moments, and pulled away for a 61-52 victory at home Tuesday night. The lead changed hands several times in the first half, but Republic led 12-11 at the end of the first quarter and 31-27 at halftime. The Tigers had difficulty containing 6’7″ Irish center Ian Cochran, who went into the break with 13 points. Broc Smith, in his first start since injuring an ankle two weeks ago, had 11 at halftime.
The Irish and Tigers traded buckets in the third quarter, but Republic couldn’t extend its lead beyond four points, and the Irish were never able to tie the game. At the end of the third quarter, the Tigers led 44-41, with the memory of their Blue & Gold championship loss on their minds. In that game, Republic failed to score for nearly the entire fourth quarter, blowing an eight-point lead in a 46-42 loss.
Tuesday night, it was the Tigers who came up big. Republic was clinging to a 47-45 lead when Trent Rackley and Smith teamed up for back-to-back threes mid-way through the fourth quarter, stretching the lead to 53-45. When Catholic cut the lead to 55-50, Smith tipped in a missed shot to stretch the lead to seven. And Republic hit its free throws, making 16 of 19 overall. Catholic was just seven of 15 from the line.
Smith finished with a team-high 25 to lead Republic. Trent Rackley scored 12 and Hunter Creek added 11. Cochran had 20 for Catholic.
Republic improves to 13-4. Catholic falls to 15-5.
The Tigers are back in action at home Friday night against Father Tolton Catholic of Columbia.
Individual Scoring
Broc Smith 25, Trent Rackley 12, Hunter Creek 11, Race Looney 6, Tucker Thomas 4, Drew McMillin 2, Jaden Duvall 1
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