Republic hung around for most of the night, but a steady stream of perimeter shooting pushed West Plains to a 67–56 win over the Lady Tigers on Monday in a loud, small-gym environment.
The Lady Zizzers led 18–13 after the first quarter and never trailed again, though Republic answered each surge long enough to keep the game within reach. West Plains hit 12 three-pointers on the night, and several of them came at moments when Republic was working back into the game.
Republic settled in during the second quarter. After falling behind by as many as 10 early, the Lady Tigers chipped away behind inside finishes from Cora Cutbirth and timely scoring from Kinley Kilburn. A three from Kilburn late in the half pulled Republic within 28–26, and West Plains took that slim lead into the break after being outscored 13–10 in the quarter.
Any momentum Republic carried into halftime was short-lived. Gillian Green opened the third quarter with a pair of baskets, part of a 30-point night, and West Plains stretched the margin back to seven. Republic answered again, with Awbree Berning and Josie Stalzer converting at the line and in the paint, but every push was met by another outside shot. A late three by Zoe Shrubb capped a 17-point quarter for West Plains and sent the Lady Zizzers to the fourth up 45–37.
Republic made one last run early in the fourth. Kilburn scored on the opening possession, and a pair of baskets from Charlie Hagewood trimmed the deficit to six. But West Plains responded with back-to-back threes from Ainsley McWilliams and Green, turning a manageable gap into double digits. From there, the Lady Zizzers controlled the final minutes at the free-throw line and with another deep ball from Green to close it out.
Green led all scorers with 30 points, hitting four three-pointers and converting at the line late. McWilliams added 19 points, including five threes. For Republic, Cutbirth finished with 11 points, while Kilburn and Berning scored 10 apiece.
“They are a good team. I think they hit 12 threes, so that’s going to make it tough on you,” Republic coach Tori Mooneyham said. “I think some of those shots were on us, though. They can’t make them if they don’t shoot them. I don’t think we were as disciplined as we needed to be on defense, and so they got more open looks than I would have liked.”
Mooneyham said the crowd gave West Plains a boost it didn’t have on a neutral floor during their first meeting. “Playing here is tough. It’s that small school atmosphere, small gym, a lot of noise. They did a good job. They had the momentum most of the game, and that kind of carried them,” she said “In the end, we kind of panicked and started throwing up some bad shots when we didn’t have to. There was still a lot of game left. But those are the things you just got to learn from and try to get better for the next one.”
Individual Scoring
Cora Cutbirth 11, Kinley Kilburn 10, Awbree Berning 10, Charlie Hagewood 7, Paelyn Gilmore 6, Josie Stalzer 6, Chloe Pullan 3, Addie Brown 3
Score by Quarters
West Plains 18-10-17-22—67
Republic 13-13-11-19—56
Get every story delivered.
Tiger Wire — Republic sports news, free every morning.