Five different players scored in double figures for Republic, and the Tigers went 9-for-10 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter to hold off Fatima on the road Friday, 72-67.
Ahlante Askew led Republic with 17 points, but supporting players played key roles in the victory. Jordan Douglas made five three-pointers and finished with 15 points. James Rexroat scored 13, including six during a key stretch in the third quarter. And Isaiah Nabors helped put the game away, scoring seven of his 11 points in the fourth quarter, including a 5-for-6 performance at the free throw line. Gunner Ellison also made all four of his free throws in the fourth quarter, finishing with 10.
The Tigers led 16-15 at the end of the first quarter, and the teams were tied 32-32 at halftime. Fatima took a 45-43 lead late in the third quarter, but Republic went on a 9-2 run to grab a 50-45 lead after three, then scored the first bucket of the fourth quarter to take a seven-point lead.
Fatima used its long-range shooting to stay in the game. The Comets made ten three-pointers, helping them to keep Republic’s lead in single digits most of the night.
Republic improves to 4-1. The Tigers play Blair Oaks Saturday at 2:30 pm. Fatima falls to 4-3.
Scoring by Quarter
Republic 16 16 18 22 – 72
Fatima 15 17 13 22 – 67
Individual Scoring
Ahlante Askew 17, Jordan Douglas 15, James Rexroat 13, Isaiah Nabors 11, Gunner Ellison 10, Brenley Hagewood 6