Republic overcame a tough second quarter to come from behind and beat Springfield Hillcrest for the second time this season, 62-60 Tuesday night in Republic. The Hornets led 35-30 at halftime, but Republic won the second half 32-25 to pull out the victory.
After a quick start, the Tiger offense hit a wall in the second quarter. The Hornets scored 18 points in the period and held Republic to 11, turning a 19-17 deficit into a five-point halftime advantage.
In the second half, the teams traded three-pointers on their opening possessions. But a traditional three-point play by CJ Uhl and a couple of back-to-back buckets by Aslan Ebisch helped the Tigers regain the lead 42-41 at the midway point of the third quarter. When Jordan Douglas dropped in his second three-pointer of the quarter, Republic led 45-41. Hillcrest tied the game with four straight points, and the teams traded baskets again until the quarter ended with Republic on top 48-47.
Early in the fourth, a three-point play by Brenley Hagewood and a driving shot by Ebisch helped Republic build a six-point lead, 55-49, but Hillcrest hung close the rest of the way. The Hornets cut the lead to 60-58 with 28.5 seconds remaining, but never got closer the rest of the way.
Uhl led Republic with 15 points. He scored 11 of those in the second half to help lead the comeback. Hagewood had 14 and Ebisch had 13 to join Uhl in double-figure scoring.
Republic has beaten Hillcrest twice this season and 12 times in a row. The Tigers improve to 4-3 this season, and Hillcrest falls to 2-4.
Republic will host Bolivar Friday night.
Score by Quarters
Hillcrest 17 18 12 13 – 60
Republic 19 11 18 14 – 62
Individual Scoring
CJ Uhl 15, Brenley Hagewood 14, Aslan Ebisch 13, Davin Parks 7, Jordan Douglas 6, Rylee Tan 5, James Rexroat 2
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