It took 27 seconds for Alaina Norman to score Republic’s first basket of the night at Joplin, and that 27 seconds was as close as the game would be all night. Republic sprinted away from Joplin for a 77-30 victory on the road, rebounding from a loss at Carl Junction earlier in the week.
Republic outscored Joplin 12-0 in the first four minutes of the game and led 22-2 at the end of the first quarter. The score was 45-10 at halftime.
Kaemyn Bekemeier scored 22 points in the first half and finished with 31. It was her second-highest single-game total of the season. (She scored 34 against Raytown on December 17.)
Misora Nambara scored 15 points, her season high. Nine different players scored in all for Republic.
Addison Walker scored her first career varsity points in the fourth quarter when she drained a three-pointer from the right corner. She finished with five points.
Lanney Strong, who had scored her varsity points against Central, made her first career three-pointer as well.
Republic improves to 13-2 overall. The Lady Tigers are off until next Wednesday, when they open the Nixa Invitational Tournament against West Plains.
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Elsewhere in the COC, Carl Junction grabbed an early advantage in the league standings, knocking off state-ranked Nixa 56-43 at home Thursday.
Score by Quarters
Joplin 2 8 14 6 – 30
Republic 22 23 24 8 – 77
Individual Scoring
Kaemyn Bekemeier 31, Misora Nambara 15, Alaina Norman 9, Molly Blades 6, Addison Walker 5, Alex Price 4, Lanney Strong 3, Gracie Woods 2, Molly Mason 2