One of the most explosive teams in Missouri went off three different times in a blowout win at home Thursday. Republic put together runs of 16-1, 16-2, and 10-0 during three separate stretches in a 63-32 win over Neosho.
For the first four minutes of Thursday’s Central Ozark Conference matchup, Neosho and Republic were evenly matched. Neosho’s Karly Ellick scored six points in the first quarter to keep Neosho close, and the teams were tied 8-8.
But Misora Nambara’s running one-hander from the right wing put Republic ahead 10-8, and it sparked the first big explosion of the night for Republic. The Lady Tigers went on a 16-1 run over the next seven minutes, grabbing a 24-9 lead with five minutes left in the half. At halftime, Republic led 32-18.
The Lady Tigers kept the pressure on when play resumed after halftime. Republic outscored Neosho 16-2 over the first four and a half minutes of the third quarter, extending the lead to 48-20. They led by 25 points, 51-26, when the fourth quarter began.
Republic had one more offensive explosion left, ripping off ten consecutive points in the fourth quarter. They led by as many as 33 points.
Kaemyn Bekemeier led Republic with 25 points and Misora Manbara had one of her best all-around game of the season. She finished with nine points, but she was all over the floor during Republic’s decisive first-half run, grabbing offensive rebounds and dishing out assists. Molly Blades finished in double figures in scoring with 11 points.
Neosho’s 32 points were the most scored by the Lady Wildcats against Republic in four tries. They had failed to reach the 30-point mark in three previous losses to the Lady Tigers, who have now won 14 consecutive games against Neosho.
Neosho falls to 10-13 (1-5). Republic is 21-3 (6-1). The Lady Tigers play next Tuesday at home against Willard as part of a boys/girls super night that will include six games. The varsity girls game will begin around 6:00 pm.
Score by Quarters
Neosho 8 10 8 6 – 32
Republic 14 18 19 12 – 63
Individual Scoring
Kaemyn Bekemeier 25, Molly Blades 11, Misora Nambara 9, Lauren Chastain 8, Alaina Norman 6, Molly Mason 4