Republic’s defense held Neosho to seven second-quarter points, turning a 15-15 tie into a double-digit lead that the Wildcats never seriously challenged the rest of the way. The Tigers beat Neosho 59-44 Tuesday at home, rebounding from last week’s one-point loss at Webb City to even their COC West record at 1-1.
The first quarter was a dogfight, with seven ties and four lead changes. Neither team was able to string together more than two baskets in a row. Kaiden Asberry and Oliver Martin combined for 12 of Neosho’s 15 first-quarter points, and the Wildcats led 15-13 before AJ Uhl tied it just before the buzzer.
The second quarter belonged to Republic. Keiran Govan attacked the basket and scored on four consecutive possessions — all inside — to fuel an 8-0 run that broke the game open at 25-17. Two Neosho timeouts did nothing to slow him down. Slater Howard stretched the lead to 30-19 with a three and another bucket, and Uhl added a basket before halftime. Republic outscored Neosho 17-7 in the period.
The Wildcats never got closer than seven in the second half. Asberry opened the third with a three to cut it to 32-25, but Brody Blades answered with five points — including a three that made it 40-27 and prompted another Neosho timeout. Republic led 46-31 after three quarters and pushed the margin to 21 early in the fourth.
Uhl and Govan were the story inside the paint. They each finished with 18 points, with Uhl making 8-of-10 shots from two-point range. Republic shot 66 percent on twos as a team, compared to 39 percent for Neosho. Blades added 11.
Asberry led all scorers with 20 for Neosho (15-6), hitting four threes, but got little help. Martin scored 10, and no other Wildcat had more than six.
The win extended Republic’s streak against Neosho to 19, dating to January 2010. Republic (14-7) travels to Joplin Friday for another COC West game before hosting Kickapoo on Feb. 17.
Score by Quarters
Neosho 15-7-9-13—44
Republic 15-17-14-13—59
Neosho Scoring
Kaiden Asberry 20, Oliver Martin 10, Zach Forsythe 6, Mason Spiva 3, Houston Branscum 2, Ethan Holding 2, Jaiden Fisher 1
Republic Scoring
Keiran Govan 18, AJ Uhl 18, Brody Blades 11, Slater Howard 8, Braxton Lundberg 4
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