Rolla scored the first six points of the fourth quarter to build a cushion heading into the home stretch, then held off a late Republic rally to clinch a 57-53 win in the second round of the Republic Invitational Tournament. The six-point run to open the final period gave Rolla its biggest lead of the night at 47-38, and the Tigers were unable to overcome the deficit.
Rolla led 17-16 after the first quarter, and the teams were tied at halftime, 30-30. Rolla had built a three-point edge by the end of the third quarter, at 41-38.
After falling behind by nine points, Republic slowly worked its way back into the game. Cason Bekemeier hit two three-pointers, and when Aslan Ebisch scored with 21.4 seconds remaining, the Tigers were within three. Republic got another three-pointer from Jordan Douglas with nine seconds left, but it was sandwiched between four Rolla free throws that iced the game.
Republic, playing without two prominent inside forces, James Rexroat and C.J. Uhl while football season continues, relied on its outside shooting to stay in the game. The Tigers made nine three-pointers—three each by Hagewood, Bekemeier, and Douglas.
Brenley Hagewood led the Tigers with 22 points — 20 of them in the first half. Cason Bekemeier was also in double figures with 14 points. Easton Smith led Rolla with 15 points.
Republic falls to 0-2 and will play Hillcrest Saturday at 3:30.
Score by Quarters
Rolla 17 13 11 16 – 57
Republic 16 14 8 15 – 53
Individual Scoring
B Hagewood 22, C Bekemeier 14, J Douglas 9, A Ebisch 4, D Parks 4
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