El Dorado Springs (5-0) broke a third-quarter tie and outscored Republic 18-11 down the stretch to knock off the Lady Tigers 63-56 in Republic Monday. Alexis Collins scored 10 points in the third quarter and McKinli Mays scored seven points in the fourth quarter to help fuel the Lady Bulldogs.
El Dorado Springs grabbed the lead early, but when Molly Blades knocked down a three-pointer with 5:11 left in the first quarter, the Lady Tigers took an 8-7 lead. They stayed on top throughout the first half, leading 19-15 after one quarter and 29-25 at halftime.
The Lady Tigers scored the first basket of the second half to stretch their lead to six points, matching the biggest lead of the night. But El Dorado Springs scored nine consecutive points to take a 34-31 lead, and the teams went back and forth through the end of the third quarter. The teams were tied 45-45 when the third quarter ended.
The opening minutes of the fourth period featured four lead changes and two ties. But with 4:43 remaining, Alexis Collins and Neely Schaaf made back-to-back shots, sparking an 8-0 run and helping the Lady Bulldogs take control. They held off the Lady Tigers from there.
Molly Blades had 21 points to lead Republic, matching her career high in scoring. She made three three-pointers. Misora Nambara was also in double figures with 12 points.
Republic falls to 2-2. The Lady Tigers will be back in action later this week at the Stephanie Phillips Classic at Kickapoo, beginning with a game Thursday night at 8:30 against Blue Springs South.
Score by Quarters
El Dorado Springs 15 10 20 18 – 63
Republic 19 10 16 11 – 56
Individual Scoring
Molly Blades 21, Misora Nambara 12, Lanney Strong 7, Lauren Chastain 5, Alaina Norman 5, Molly Mason 4, Alex Price 2