Three different players scored in double figures for Republic in a 60-49 win over Hartville in the second round of the Stephanie Phillips Classic at Springfield Kickapoo. Jade Kirby and Kaemyn Bekemeier each scored 15 points for the Lady Tigers, and Savana Powell-Goodman added 12.
Both teams got off to a slow start, and each team’s coach called a “motivational” time out to light a fire under his players in the first quarter. But Republic was the first team to show a spark. Trailing 9-8 late in the first quarter, the Lady Tigers went on a 10-0 run that stretched into the second quarter to take an 18-9 lead. After Hartville cut the lead back to three points, Republic scored 13 straight to end the half. The 13-0 run included consecutive three-pointers by Bekemeier, Jazzy Kirby, and Kaitlyn Ragsdale.
Hartville kept it close by outscoring Republic 17-16 in the third quarter, and eventually whittled the lead down to 11, but never got within single digits the rest of the way.
Republic improves to 3-1. The Lady Tigers play Rolla Saturday at 4:30.
Republic Scoring: Kaemyn Bekemeier 15, Jade Kirby 15, Jazzy Kirby 7, Shealyn Barrett 6, Kaitlyn Ragsdale 3, Carle Ward 2