Republic broke open a close game with a big third quarter and pulled away for a 76-59 win over Strafford (Class 3 No. 8) at home Thursday. The win is the fifth in a row for Republic, and its fourth straight win against a state-ranked opponent.
Lanney Strong finished with a career-high 23 points, including 13 in the second quarter to help Republic overcome an early deficit. The Lady Tigers trailed by as many as seven points in the second quarter before Strong got hot. She made two three-pointers and finished her first-half scoring with a traditional three-point play. Blades finished the half with four points in five seconds, hitting a layup, stealing an in-bounds pass, and laying the ball in again to make the score 32-31 at half.
Republic’s offense scored 11 straight points at the end of the second quarter and the beginning of the third. The Lady Tigers topped themselves by scoring 14 consecutive points to close out the third quarter and begin the fourth. Republic overcame a 42-40 deficit with 2:39 remaining in the third quarter, grabbing a 51-42 lead as the fourth period began. When Blades bounced in a three-pointer to start the fourth quarter, the lead was 12. Strafford never got within single digits again.
In addition to the offensive explosion, Republic stepped up its defense, holding Strafford to 11 points in the third quarter. Gracie Woods came off the bench to provide a lift after Elsie Larsen torched Republic for 19 points in the first half. Woods slowed down Larsen and the rest of the Republic lineup played better defense in the second half to take control.
The 22-point output for Blades topped her earlier high, achieved against Strafford last year, when she scored 21. Misora Nambara scored 11, including nine points in the decisive third quarter.
Republic finished with eight three-pointers, including three each by Blades and Strong.
Republic improves to 12-4. The Lady Tigers are off until Monday, when they travel to Branson for a Central Ozark Conference game. We will carry that game live.
Score by Quarters
Strafford 11 20 11 17 – 59
Republic 10 22 19 25 – 76
Individual Scoring
Lanney Strong 23, Molly Blades 22, Misora Nambara 11, Alex Price 7, Lauren Chastain 6, Alaina Norman 6, Molly Mason 1