Republic exploded for 47 first-half points – their highest-scoring half of the season – and rolled to a 73-50 win over Webb City Thursday in the Central Ozark Conference West Division opener. Sammi Watson led the charge with a career-high 19 points.
The Lady Tigers jumped ahead early, outscoring Webb City 25-20 in the first quarter and stretching the lead to 47-31 by halftime. The first-half explosion was a sign of Republic’s improvement from the beginning of the year. Republic didn’t score 47 points in a full game in any of its first five losses to start the season.
Watson led five Republic players in double figures. Lanney Strong scored 15 points, Cora Cutbirth added 11, and Awbree Berning finished with 10. Paelyn Gilmore contributed nine points, as Republic hit nine three-pointers.
“We had a good talk before the game, and even though this was our first game in the West COC, we knew that this one could be the important one that we needed to get in order to have a chance to win that COC title,” coach Tori Mooneyham said.
The Lady Tigers handled Webb City’s pressure defense effectively throughout the game.
“My biggest concern was that press, and they came out very composed, very confident, which I think shows how much we’ve grown since the beginning handling the press,” Mooneyham said. “That was a night and day difference.”
Abby Sargent led Webb City with 17 points and Addie Burns added 16.
The win was Republic’s sixth straight, improving their record to 12-8. Webb City dropped to 13-7.
Score by Quarters
Webb City 20-11-7-12–50
Republic 25-22-10-16–73
Webb City Scoring
Abby Sargent 17, Addie Burns 16, Whitlee Keith 7, Brecklynn Sargent 4, Kenzie Horn 3, Chasney Brown 2, Jenna Schulz 1
Republic Scoring
Sammi Watson 19, Lanney Strong 15, Cora Cutbirth 11, Awbree Berning 10, Paelyn Gilmore 9, Addie Brown 6, Charlie Hagewood 2, Josie Stalzer 1
