Republic overcame an ice-cold shooting night from the perimeter, using a dominant fourth quarter and 17 points from Paelyn Gilmore to beat Ozark 39-30 on the road Monday.
The Lady Tigers did not make a single three-pointer in the win, just one game after making 10 against Waynesville. It was the first time in at least three seasons that Republic failed to record a three-point field goal in a game.
Despite the shooting struggles, Republic relied on its defense and a significant advantage at the free-throw line to stay within striking distance. Ozark led 13-8 after the first quarter and held a 16-14 lead at halftime as both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm. Ozark failed to score over about a six-minute stretch at the beginning of the second quarter, and neither team had a field goal during that time.
The Lady Tigers trailed 25-21 heading into the fourth quarter before Gilmore took over. Republic opened the final period on a 7-0 run to take its first lead of the night. Gilmore was nearly perfect from the charity stripe, finishing 11-of-12, while the Republic defense limited Ozark to just five points in the final eight minutes.
“I don’t know what it is with this team, but when one can’t score they all can’t, for whatever reason. We’re either on or we’re off,” head coach Tori Mooneyham said. “And so we’ve got to figure out something as coaches to overcome that, and that’s on me.”
Mooneyham had been concerned that Ozark would have a rebounding edge, and that was especially true early. Ozark doubled Republic’s total on the boards and grabbed six offensive rebounds in the first half.
Republic turned things around with a zone defense, and even improved its rebounding in that configuration in the second half. “We didn’t give up any offensive rebounds in the second half. So that was big,” Mooneyham said.
Gilmore’s 17 points led all scorers. Josie Stalzer added eight points, including six free throws. Republic finished 19-of-23 from the free-throw line as a team.
Avery Havens led Ozark with eight points.
Republic improves to 8-2 on the season. Ozark falls to 3-8. The Lady Tigers return home to face Nixa on Thursday.
Score by quarters
Republic 8 6 7 18 — 39
Ozark 13 3 9 5 — 30
Individual scoring
Paelyn Gilmore 17, Josie Stalzer 8, Awbree Berning 4, Addie Brown 4, Cora Cutbirth 2, Kinley Kilburn 2, Libby Steele 2
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