It’s hard to play better defense in crunch time than Republic has played the past two nights. For the second game in a row, Republic allowed just one field goal in the fourth quarter. This time, it earned them a 54-37 win over Willard and a spot in the Blue & Gold Championship game Friday night against Nixa.
(Corrects an earlier version that said Republic allowed two points in the fourth quarter against Catholic. The Irish had three points, including a free throw, in the fourth quarter.)
Republic played a match-up zone for much of the night. It was the same defense that had allowed the Tigers to shut down Springfield Catholic for the final seven and a half minutes of their quarterfinal game Wednesday. In the first half, Willard stayed in the game with a barrage of long three-pointers, firing in seven shots from beyond the arc to take a 30-28 lead at halftime.
But Republic stuck with its defensive game plan and it paid off in the second half. Willard went cold from long range, from short range, and from mid-range in the third and fourth quarters. Republic held Willard to just two field goals and seven points in the entire second half.
Republic led 41-35 as the fourth quarter began, but gradually stretched the lead over the final eight minutes. Republic outscored Willard 13-2 in the final period with the help of nine free throws.
Aslan Ebisch continued his solid play in the tournament, leading Republic with 16. Jordan Douglas was also in double figures with ten.
Republic has won six straight and improves to 8-3 this season. The win sets up a showdown between last year’s two Blue & Gold champions, Republic and Nixa. The Eagles advanced with a win over Fair Grove. The teams will meet for a championship Friday at 8:30 at Great Southern Bank Arena.
Republic Tiger Sports will have live audio, with video to be available directly after the game.
Score by Quarters
Willard 8 22 5 2 – 37
Republic 11 17 13 13 – 54
Individual Scoring
Aslan Ebisch 16, Jordan Douglas 10, Brenley Hagewood 8, CJ Uhl 6, James Rexroat 5, Rylee Tan 4, Davin Parks 4, Cason Bekemeier 1
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