Republic overcame a slow offensive start and a halftime deficit to defeat Lutheran St. Charles 57-50 Saturday at the Stephanie Phillips Classic. The Lady Tigers outscored the Cougars 38-26 in the second half, using a dominant performance at the free throw line to secure the victory and prove their standing among the state’s top programs.
Lutheran St. Charles entered the tournament with a 3-1 record, its only previous loss coming against powerhouse Incarnate Word. After a close loss against state-ranked Kickapoo and a win over Strafford earlier in the weekend, the Cougars provided a major early-season test for Republic.
“This is only our third game and so (I) wasn’t really sure where we were compared to those big teams, but they proved tonight that they could play with anyone,” said coach Tori Mooneyham. “They showed me that they have it in them to beat a good team.”
Republic trailed 14-9 after the first quarter and 24-19 at halftime. Unlike the previous two nights, where the Lady Tigers found an early rhythm, shots refused to fall in the first half against the Cougars’ defense.
“The game always goes well when the ball goes in the hole and we weren’t hitting early,” Mooneyham said. “That team really guarded hard, and so we didn’t get a lot of wide open shots. We really had to work for everything we got, but they just never gave up.”
The game was tied 39-39 entering the fourth quarter, but Republic pulled away by winning the final period 18-11. The difference came at the free throw line. Republic converted 12 of 14 free throws in the fourth quarter, while Lutheran St. Charles made just 6 of 14.
Senior Awbree Berning anchored the effort from the line. She finished 10 of 12 from the stripe in the second half, including a 7-for-8 performance in the fourth quarter.
“Everyone always says free throws win ball games, and literally that’s what happened today,” Mooneyham said. “Part of that was because of our hard work. We really worked hard on the boards and got a lot of fouls off those rebounds and that’s what put us to the line late.”
Addie Brown led the team in scoring for the second straight night, finishing with 17 points. Paelyn Gilmore added 16 points, and Berning finished with 14.
Jordan Stowers led Lutheran St. Charles with 15 points.
Republic improves to 3-0.
Score by quarters
Luth. St. Charles 14 10 15 11 — 50
Republic 9 10 20 18 — 57
Individual scoring
A. Brown 17, P. Gilmore 16, A. Berning 14, C. Hagewood 5, K. Kilburn 5.
