For the first half of Friday’s game between Republic and Bolivar the defenses dominated. After halftime, Bolivar found its offense and Republic did not, as the Liberators pulled away for a 54-38 victory. The Liberators outscored Republic 37-19 in the second half to stay undefeated at 6-0, while Republic fell to 3-3 heading into the Christmas break.
After a Wednesday loss at Jefferson City Helias in which Brown was disappointed with the Tigers’ intensity, he thought the mental approach was better Friday, despite the result.
“We tried to come out and do some things right defensively and grind the way we’ve done in the past. We were unlucky on some things offensively, even early on in the game. We kind of felt like things would eventually go our way.”
But a Bolivar three-pointer at the end of the third quarter gave the Liberators a six-point lead –– their biggest of the night to that point –– and helped set the stage for a dominating fourth quarter.
“They make a big shot there and I felt like we just continued to struggle to get a big basket when we needed one,” Brown said. “We started to lose a little bit of our edge and we had to come out and chase––things that we’re not necessarily really good at with our personnel and our style of play.”
Faced with a larger deficit, the Tigers “probably got a little too sped up…and hurried,” Brown said. “But that happens. That’s why we play good people. It’s a good non-conference opponent and chance to get better, and I think we’re definitely going to be able to get some feedback from this.
“Our heart was in the right spot. We just ran out of gas and didn’t have some success offensively.”
Bolivar got 32 combined points from it two 6’5″ post players. Senior Brodie Pollock had 10 and freshman Kyle Pock scored 22.
Only three players scored for Republic. Race Looney led Republic for the second straight game with 15 points. Drew McMillin had 14 points. Tucker Thomas added nine.
The Tigers take a 3-3 record into the break, and they’ll return to action on December 26 in the opening round of the Blue & Gold Tournament. Republic is a #4 seed and will face Mountain Grove at 2 pm at JQH Arena.
