Molly Blades takes a three-point shot in the first half. She made three threes in the first quarter. (by Steve Rackley)

Blades Bombs Strafford in Tight Road Win

Molly Blades is known for her lights-out defense, but she lit up Strafford’s gym with a high-voltage shooting display Thursday night. Blades dropped three three-pointers on Strafford in the first quarter and finished with a career-high 21 points to lead the Lady Tigers to a 51-47 win over the top-ranked team in Class 3.

Republic sprinted out of the gate quickly, using a 12-0 run to seize control in the first few minutes. Republic made seven three-pointers in the first quarter — three by Blades, two by Lauren Chastain, and two by Kaemyn Bekemeier — to build a 14-point lead by the end of the first quarter, 25-11.

But this game was similar to the season opener between the two teams, when Republic jumped ahead only to watch Strafford fight back. The Lady Indians outscored Republic 13-7 in the second quarter to get the lead down into single digits, 32-24, at halftime. And Strafford held Republic to only six points in the third quarter. When the Lady Indians took the lead 35-34 with 2:30 on the clock, it was their first lead since the score was 4-3.

At the other end of the floor, Chastain hit Blades cutting to the basket for an easy layup, helping Republic retake the lead. And Blades forced a turnover at the other end, then made a layup on a fast break to put Republic back up by three, 38-35.

Republic led 38-37 when the fourth quarter began, but Strafford briefly went back on top at 43-42. From that point on, though, Republic outscored Strafford 9-4 to come away with the win. Blades scored six of her points in the fourth quarter and Chastain also had four in the final period to help the Lady Tigers hold on.

Republic improves to 16-3. Strafford falls to 15-5, with two of its losses to Republic.

In addition to Blades’ 21 points, Republic got ten each from Chastain and Bekemeier. Ten points is the lowest total of the season for Bekemeier, who still managed a double-double in points and rebounds.

The Lady Tigers are off until they resume Central Ozark Conference play against Branson next week.

Score by Quarters
Strafford 11 13 13 10 – 47
Republic 25 7 6 13 – 51

Individual Scoring
Molly Blades 21, Lauren Chastain 10, Kaemyn Bekemeier 10, Misora Nambara 4, Alex Price 2, Alaina Norman 2

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