The Lady Tigers forced 22 turnovers before halftime and allowed just nine points in the first 16 minutes on their way to a 69-20 dismantling of Joplin in a Central Ozark Conference road game. Ten different players scored for Republic, including three in double figures: Jade Kirby had 16, Kaemyn Bekemeier had 13, and Kaitlyn Ragsdale scored 10.
After Jade Kirby put Republic ahead 2-0, Joplin answered with a three-pointer to briefly take the lead, but the outcome was never in doubt. The Lady Tigers rattled off 12 straight points to take a 14-3 lead, and they had pushed the lead to 17-6 by halftime.
Joplin scored no points on the paint all night. The Lady Eagles managed just five field goals in the game – all of them three-pointers.
Coach Kris Flood emptied his bench late in the second quarter, then again for much of the second half. The Republic bench combined to score 25 points, including the first career varsity point for Ashlyn Leonard.
Republic finished with four three-pointers – three by Ragsdale and one by Regan Holmes.
The Lady Tigers rebounded from a loss earlier this week to Willard. The win Thursday improves their overall record to 14-8. They’re 4-2 in the COC.
Republic scoring: Jade Kirby 16, Kaemyn Bekemeier 13, Kaitlyn Ragsdale 10, Carle Ward 9, Jazzy Kirby 8, Savana Powell-Goodman 4, Regan Holmes 3, Delaney Smith 3, Whitney Weaver 2, Ashlyn Leonard 1