Republic’s 20th win was never in doubt.
The Lady Tigers scored the game’s first eight points, led by 14 at the end of the first quarter and by 23 at halftime on their way to a 71-34 rout of Carthage on Thursday. Republic (20-4) has won 20 consecutive games against the Lady Tigers from Carthage, a streak dating to 2012.
Cora Cutbirth set the tone early. She scored eight of Republic’s first 10 points, including a stretch of six straight, to push the Lady Tigers to a 10-1 lead before Carthage called timeout. Awbree Berning added a pair of baskets in the quarter, and Paelyn Gilmore knocked down a three to make it 19-7. Republic closed the first quarter on a 23-9 run.
The second quarter was more of the same. Josie Stalzer scored four points in the frame, and Gilmore hit another three to push the lead to 30-14. Republic outscored Carthage 16-7 in the period and took a 39-16 lead into halftime.
An 11-0 run spanning the end of the second quarter and start of the third stretched the lead to 41-16. Gilmore added a three and a driving bucket as Republic built a 53-28 advantage heading into the fourth.
Gilmore finished with a game-high 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting, hitting five threes. Cutbirth added 19 points, going 9-of-12 from the free throw line. Berning contributed 10.
Carthage’s Zoe Williams led her team with 16 points, hitting three triples.
Republic continually worked for good shots inside, shooting 59 percent from two-point range to overcome a dismal 1-for-15 shooting performance from three-point range in the first half. Carthage shot 36 percent from the field.
Republic has two regular-season games remaining, including a Tuesday trip to Willard. All four of the Lady Tigers’ losses have come against ranked opponents.
Score by Quarters
Carthage 9-7-12-6 — 34
Republic 23-16-14-18 — 71
Republic Scoring
Paelyn Gilmore 21, Cora Cutbirth 19, Awbree Berning 10, Josie Stalzer 6, Charlie Hagewood 5, Kinley Kilburn 4, Libby Steele 4, Jordan Coleman 2
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