Slater Howard delivered the defining stretch of Republic’s week Friday night, scoring all 12 of his points in the final 4:16 to lift the Tigers to an improbable, thrilling 57–56 win over Helias in the Bolivar Liberator Tournament semifinals.
Howard was scoreless through the first 27 minutes and 44 seconds before knocking down four three-pointers in the closing minutes. The last came with nine seconds left, giving Republic its first lead of the fourth quarter and sealing the one-point victory.
Republic trailed 37–22 at halftime after ran off an 18–0 run in the second quarter. Helias pushed the margin to 40–24 midway through the third before the Tigers went to work. Republic responded with a 16–6 surge to end the quarter, cutting the deficit to six.
Helias rebuilt an eight-point lead early in the fourth, but Republic answered with timely baskets. After Howard’s first three trimmed the margin to two, he hit back-to-back threes to tie the game at 54 with 50 seconds remaining. Following a Helias basket, Howard’s fourth straight three put Republic ahead for good with nine seconds remaining. Howard finished with 12 points, all in the fourth quarter.
The win was the 300th of Tim Brown’s coaching career, and Howard’s part in that milestone win was our Performance of the Week.
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