The Lady Tigers just keep on rolling.
Wednesday night at Fair Grove, Republic came from behind in the second half with a lockdown defensive effort, knocking off the state-ranked Lady Eagles (Class 3, No. 2), 57-54. Republic allowed just 22 points in the second half to a Fair Grove offense that is averaging more than 60 points a game.
That’s nine wins in a row for the Lady Tigers, who have not lost in 2024.
Coach Kris Flood said the halftime adjustments were not so much about tactics as about reminding his players to remain calm under Fair Grove’s intense defense.
“I think on the offensive end, it was just slowing down and not letting them out-physical us,” he said. “We were assuming they could come out fast and play pretty physical with us, and they did, but I think the kids adjusted well. We just calmed down a little bit on offense.”
Early in the game, Fair Grove’s physical style threw Republic off-balance. And early foul trouble forced coach Kris Flood to make adjustments earlier than expected. Misora Nambara scored Republic’s first five points but ended up on the bench for much of the first half after picking up two fouls in the first four minutes.
Late in the first quarter, Fair Grove had sprinted to a 20-9 lead. Five straight points scored by Molly Blades made the game closer as the quarter ended with Fair Grove on top 20-14.
Lauren Chastain drained a three-pointer to open the second period, but Fair Grove ripped off eight straight points to take command again by 11, 28-17. That turned out to be the biggest lead of the night. The Lady Tigers closed the gap to 32-25 at halftime, then turned things around after the break.
Nambara opened the second half with two buckets, and after the Lady Eagles scored, Alex Price answered with her second three-pointer of the night to cut the lead to 34-32. Nambara followed that up with another trey, and Republic led for the first time since the opening minutes. The lead changed hands twice more, but a driving layup and free throw by Lanney Strong gave Republic a three-point lead, and another basket by Price made it a five-point margin, the biggest of the night. When the third quarter ended, Republic led 43-40.
Fair Grove had one more run left. The Lady Eagles took the lead again with 4:50 remaining, 46-45. Scores by Chastain and Strong put Republic back on top again, and the Lady Tigers never trailed again. Fair Grove had a chance to take the lead in the final minute, but Republic’s defense held strong and Nambara made two free throws to seal the win.
Flood said his players “really handled the end of the game well, with the exception of giving up offensive rebounds. It’s a hard road win, and we’ve got to turn right around. Hopefully they have one more game in them.”
Republic will play their third game in four days Thursday, when Webb City comes to town for a COC game. The Lady Tigers will be looking for their 10th win in a row.
Score by Quarters
Fair Grove 20 12 8 14 – 54
Republic 14 11 18 14 – 57
Individual Scoring
Lanney Strong 15, Misora Nambara 14, Alex Price 10, Lauren Chastain 7, Molly Blades 7, Molly Mason 4, Gracie Woods 2
