When Republic needed a big play against Columbia Battle, Paelyn Gilmore delivered.
Gilmore not only scored a career-high 17 points in Republic’s 57-56 win, she also hit the game-winning shot with 3.9 seconds remaining. The game-winner came during Republic’s second game at the Nixa Invitational Tournament, where the Lady Tigers won two of three games to reach the .500 mark for the first time this season.
After a defensive stop gave Republic the ball with a chance to win, Lady Tigers coach Tori Mooneyham drew up a play. But when the original plan broke down, Gilmore took matters into her own hands.
“The play was supposed to… go the other way, and she couldn’t get the ball swung,” Mooneyham said. “She did what I said. If the play gets broken, you’ve just got to go and… attack. And she’s really good at that.”
Gilmore’s scoring outburst helped offset Battle’s defensive pressure, which had given Republic problems early in the game. Her 17 points included several key baskets during the second half as Republic and Battle traded leads. The win advanced Republic to the fifth-place game, where they beat Francis Howell Central the next day.
Gilmore’s career night and clutch finish earned our Performance of the Week honors.
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