The best way to beat Carl Junction this year is to stop sophomore star Destiny Buerge. But Republic proved Thursday night you can beat the Bulldogs without doing that.
Buerge scored 28 points, but Republic used a big third quarter to pull away for a 55-43 win. The Lady Tigers led by three points at halftime, 24-21, but outscored Carl Junction 16-6 in the third period. They eventually led by as many as 18 points.
Sophomores Buerge and Bekemeier, already two of the best players in the Central Ozark Conference, are also good friends, and they squared off in a friendly rivalry all night. Bekemeier finished with 22 to lead Republic.
“It’s a little bit weird because she’s one of your best friends,” Bekemeier said of playing against Buerge. “You don’t want to hurt her, but you also want to beat her so you can have that on her. I think it’s a lot of fun playing against your friends and being able to get after it with them and show them your team, and you get to hear about their team and see them.”
In the fourth quarter, Carl Junction scored eight straight points to cut the lead down to ten, but Republic held off the late charge. Rilynn Finley had two big baskets to stop the Carl Junction rally and finished with eight point. Kaitlyn Ragsdale scored 10.
Republic improved to 9-4 and 2-0 in the COC. The Lady Tigers have won seven of their last eight games.
Carl Junction is 9-4 (1-1). The Bulldogs’ loss was the first in the COC in two years. They were unbeaten in the conference last season.