*Editor’s Note: Corrected date of next game at bottom of story.*
Republic rained down seven three-pointers in the first quarter at Springfield Central on the way to a record-tying performance and a 72-45 road win. The Lady Tigers finished with 13 three-pointers for the game, tying a team record that had previously been achieved three times.
Republic came out on fire from outside, making five three-pointers in the first four minutes of the game. By the time the first quarter ended, the Lady Tigers led 31-8 and had already poured in seven three-point shots – three of them by Kaemyn Bekemeier. Republic added three more treys in the second quarter and had ten at halftime, to go along with a 50-20 lead.
With the game in control, the outside shooting cooled off after halftime. Republic got another three-pointer from Bekemeier in the third quarter, but that was the only one of the period. Two more by Miha Nambara in the fourth quarter helped the Lady Tigers tie the school record.
Bekemeier finished with 24 points overall and five three-pointers. She also had 11 rebounds to complete her second double-double in the past week.
Rilynn Finley had one trey to go with 15 points and eight boards. Miha Nambara had 14 points and four threes. Misora Nambara scored 13 points and made two three-pointers. Hope Schatz had a single three-pointer to go with her seven points. She also had six assists and three steals.
Republic had previously made 13 three-pointers on three occasions. The first was February 8, 2016, at Neosho. The second was January 10, 2019, at home against Carl Junction. The third was February 8, 2020, when Republic overcame a 15-point deficit and beat state-ranked Jefferson City on a Savana Powell-Goodman buzzer-beater. Bekemeier, just a freshman, scored 29 points in that game.
Republic improves to 11-5. The Lady Tigers host Strafford in a non-conference game Thursday.
Republic Scoring
Kaemyn Bekemeier 24, Rilynn Finley 15, Miha Nambara 14, Misora Nambara 13, Hope Schatz 7, Alex Price 2
Editor’s Note: Evan Smith contributed to this report.