With 1:24 remaining in the game, Bolivar star Kyle Pock made two free throws to give the Liberators their biggest lead of the night over Republic, 52-48.
The Liberators didn’t score again.
Republic reeled off eight straight points to end the game, toppling the state-ranked Liberators on their home floor and winning its fifth game in a row.
After Pock’s free throws, Republic sharpshooter Jordan Douglas took a pass from Ahlante Askew on the left wing and arched a high jumper over a defender and into the bottom of the net to make the score 52-51. At the other end of the floor, Republic took the ball away from Pock as he split a double team with 55 seconds remaining.
Instead of holding the ball for a chance to win at the buzzer, sophomore guard Brenley Hagewood — who had been shut down by Bolivar’s defense most of the night — splashed home another three-pointer from the right corner with 44.6 seconds remaining to put the Tigers back on top. Republic never trailed again.
Bolivar’s Jack Larimore missed a three-pointer on the following possession, and Aslan Ebisch calmly made two free throws — with a time out in-between them — to ice the game with 14.8 seconds left.
Although Douglas, Hagewood, and Ebisch were the late heroes, there were plenty of others who stepped up for Republic throughout the night. It didn’t take long for Ahlante Askew to realize he was the quickest player on the court, and he took advantage, shredding the Bolivar defense for 24 points. Republic held its own on the boards despite giving up size at nearly every position against the much bigger Liberators. Isaiah Nabors, among others, gave Republic a chance with hard-nosed defense on the block. And everyone who got in the game for Republic ended up in the scorebook.
The Tigers improved to 6-1 overall. Bolivar is 4-2. Friday’s game could be a preview of a Blue & Gold Tournament matchup. Bolivar is seeded first and Republic is seeded second in their bracket.
Score by Quarter
Bolivar 13 14 13 12 – 52
Republic 16 12 14 14 – 56
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