Republic overcame an eight-point deficit over the final four minutes, beating Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, 52-49, to earn third place at the Willard Basketball Classic Saturday. The Lady Tigers defense was lights-out in the final period, allowing just one field goal and three points total, as Republic outscored Broken Arrow 18-3. Lanney Strong scored nine points in the fourth quarter, including two three-pointers to lead the comeback.
With Republic trailing 47-39, Lanney Strong dropped in a three-pointer with about four minutes remaining. About a minute later, Strong hit a runner in the lane to make the score 47-44.
After a layup by Broken Arrow, Misora Nambara found Molly Blades on a back cut, and Blades finished with a layup to make the score 49-46 with 2:20 left. Molly Mason took a charge on the defensive end, and Strong made one of two free throws with 1:40 remaining to cut the Broken Arrow lead to two, 49-47. After another defensive stop, Strong stepped back on the left arc and swished through another trey, giving the Lady Tigers a 50-49 lead with 1:07 left. Molly Blades made one of two free throws with 32 seconds left to put the Lady Tigers up 51-49.
Broken Arrow missed three shots on its next, and Lauren Chastain made a free throw for a three-point lead with five seconds left. A desperation shot at the buzzer by Broken Arrow was off the mark.
Score by Quarters
Broken Arrow 14 14 18 3 – 49
Republic 3 12 14 18 – 52
Individual Scoring
Misora Nambara 13, Lanney Strong 12, Molly Blades 9, Alex Price 9, Alaina Norman 4, Lauren Chastain 3, Molly Mason 2
