Republic (#10, Class 5) and Strafford (#1, Class 3) showed what makes them two of the best girls basketball programs in southwest Missouri. Both teams showed flashes of brilliance at both ends of the court throughout the game, but Republic’s defense made the difference down the stretch in a 55-52 win. The Lady Tigers held Strafford to just 21 points in the second half to help secure the victory at home.
The first half was more about the offenses, with both teams lighting it up from the outside. The teams combined for 11 three-pointers in the first half – six by Strafford and five by Republic. Strafford’s Laney Humble made four of those.
The Lady Indians jumped ahead 16-9 after one quarter, but Republic started making its own shows in the second quarter after a cold start. The Lady Tigers outscored Strafford 18-15 in the second quarter to cut the lead to 31-27 at half.
When the teams came out for the break, Republic’s defensive intensity picked up, especially on the perimeter. Strafford managed just one three-pointer in the third quarter and scored only nine points, and when the fourth quarter began, Republic had grabbed a 45-40 lead. Misora Nambara scored nine points in the third quarter and Miha Nambara added five in that period.
With the game on the line in the fourth quarter, both defenses made things miserable for their offensive counterparts. The teams combined for just six field goals, not because they went cold from the field but because anyone who touched the ball usually had one or two defenders hounding them.
Strafford cut the lead to three points with just under five minutes remaining, but over the next four minutes, Republic got four consecutive defensive stops to keep the lead. Kaemyn Bekemeier made two free throws to give Republic a 51-46 lead with 1:51 remaining.
But Strafford kept fighting and with 31 seconds remaining, Lauren Jones made a 12-foot jump shot to cut the lead to 53-52. Misora Nambara made two free throws with 23 seconds left, and on Strafford’s final possession, a potential game-tying three-point shot by Emma Mullings bounced off the side of the rim, giving Republic the win.
Republic finished with six three-pointers, two each by Miha and Misora Nambara, and one each by Rilynn Finley and Bekemeier.
The win over top-ranked Strafford marks the third time this season Republic has beaten a state-ranked #1 team. The Lady Tigers beat Miller when they were ranked first in Class 2. Strafford was ranked first in Class 3. And Norfork, Ark., was ranked first in Class 1 in that state when Republic beat the Lady Panthers at the Nixa Invitational.
Republic improves to 12-5. Strafford falls to 15-3.
Republic hosts Branson Monday.
Republic Scoring
Kaemyn Bekemeier 19, Misora Nambara 14, Miha Nambara 11, Rilynn Finley 9, Hope Schatz 2
