Webb City outscored Republic 14-2 in overtime, earning a 77-65 win in Republic Friday and spoiling Republic’s Winter Courtwarming celebration. Five different players scored in the four-minute overtime period for the Cardinals, who broke an 11-game losing streak to Republic.
Both teams had chances to win the game at the end of a zany fourth quarter. With the score tied 63-63, Republic had the ball with 15 seconds left, but two Webb City defenders knocked the ball away from Aslan Ebisch, setting off a mad scramble as the ball rolled toward the Webb City basket. Republic freshman Keiran Govan sprinted from behind the play to reach the ball first, and Jordan Douglas scooped the ball up with 10 seconds left. As Douglas was falling out of bounds on the Webb City baseline, he threw the ball off Cardinal Omari Jackson, who was standing out of bounds, giving the Tigers the ball back again.
With 7.5 seconds left, Brenley Hagewood went coast to coast, but left a finger roll short of the rim. James Rexroat was called for his fifth foul as he went for the rebound, and that allowed Webb City’s Gabe Johnson to shoot two free throws with 1.2 seconds left — and the game still tied. But Johnson missed both his free throws, and a putback by Holton Keith was no good sending the game to overtime.
Playing without Rexroat, who had scored 22 points to lead the Tigers in regulation, Republic’s offense sputtered in the extra period. Turnovers allowed Webb City to score the first six points of the overtime, and the Cardinals cruised from there.
Republic had bolted to an early lead, outscoring Webb City 25-10 in the first quarter. But for the second time in eight days, Republic gave back a big early advantage in the second quarter. Webb City went on an 18-2 run, reminiscent of Carthage’s 22-2 run last Friday, allowing the Cardinals to tie the game at halftime, 32-32.
Webb City took a one-point lead, 52-51, as the fourth quarter began, and the Tigers tied it at 63 at the end of regulation. After the second-quarter slump, Republic came out more aggressive in the second half, pounding the ball inside to Rexroat. Govan, who played significant minutes, helped establish the offensive resurgence by distributing the ball in the high post, frequently feeding Rexroat down low or kicking the ball to Jordan Douglas on the perimeter. Douglas finished with 21 points on seven three-pointers.
Last time Republic hosted Webb City, the Tigers were the winners in a wild finish. In that game, Webb City led by a point and Ahlante Askew found himself sitting on the floor with the ball as time ran out. He heaved the ball toward the basket, and Devon McMillin grabbed it and laid it in ahead of the buzzer, giving Republic a 60-59 win.
Webb City improves to 15-5 and 5-0 in the Central Ozark Conference, keeping pace with Nixa at the top of the league standings. Republic falls to 12-10 (2-3). The Tigers have lost three straight and will try to turn things around at home next Tuesday.
Before the game, Republic crowned Winter Courtwarming queen Ireland Wilson and king Aslan Ebisch.
Score by Quarters
Webb City 10 22 20 11 14 – 77
Republic 25 7 19 12 2 – 65
Individual Scoring
James Rexroat 22, Jordan Douglas 21, Brenley Hagewood 9, Keiran Govan 5, Rylee Tan 3, Aslan Ebisch 2