You just can’t count these Lady Tigers out.
After Macey Sult gave Ozark its biggest lead of the night, 39-34 early in the fourth quarter, Republic responded by outscoring Ozark 12-3 over the next six-plus minutes. Kaemyn Bekemeier knocked down a 15-foot jumper from the left wing with four seconds remaining to give Republic a 44-42 lead. After Ozark turned the ball over attempting a full-court pass, Bekemeier made two free throws to seal the win. A layup by Ozark at the buzzer accounted for the final two-point margin.
Republic led throughout most of the first half. Ozark briefly tied the game 10-10, only to fall behind again until taking the lead with 1:27 remaining in the first half, 23-21. But Republic scored the last three points of the second quarter to lead 24-23 at halftime.
The lead changed hands three more times in the third quarter, and a mini run by Ozark — they outscored Republic 9-4 to end the period — put Ozark on top 34-32. Ozark built its lead to 39-34 with 6:30 remaining, but that’s when Republic ramped up its defense and began to make shots. Republic allowed just three points over a six-minute stretch to tie the game 42-42, setting up Bekemeier’s heroics.
“It was geared to Bekemeier. We were going to try to get her isolated,” coach Kris Flood said of the game-winning play. “Mason did a really good job. She set two solid screens. She set that first screen and (Bekemeier) couldn’t quite get loose. Then (Mason) came back and re-screened and set a really good one.”
That second screen allowed Bekemeier to get free on the left wing, pull up, and knock down the game-winner.
The win is Republic’s 20th of the season and it gives the Lady Tigers sole possession of second place in the Central Ozark Conference at 5-1. Ozark falls to 5-2 in the COC and 12-11 overall.
“(Ozark) had a really good plan and we struggled shooting. We had good looks and we missed a lot of shots,” Flood said. “Like I told the kids, we got it done. Let’s just go home and move on.Every little thing we’re doing here at the end is helping us keep pace in conference and keeps us on track for that really good seed in the district.”
Score by Quarters
Republic 12 12 8 14 – 46
Ozark 10 13 11 10 – 44
Individual Scoring
Kaemyn Bekemeier 24, Lauren Chastain 7, Molly Blades 6, Alaina Norman 3, Misora Nambara 2, Alex Price 2, Molly Mason 2