Tigers basketballers finish home tournament on high note

After falling twice early on, tourney hosts grab win for seventh-place finish
 
Republic rebounded from a tough start to its basketball season with a resounding win in the 7th-place game of the Republic Invitational Tournament. The Tigers lost their first two games Thursday and Friday against Springdale, Ark., and Rolla before blowing out Russellville, Ark., Saturday.
In the opening game Thursday, Springdale's defense suffocated Republic's guard-heavy offense all night in a 52-47 win. The middle two quarters made the difference, with the Bulldogs holding Republic to just 16 total points over a 16-minute stretch.
"Obviously, we made a lot more mistakes and turnovers than our teams are accustomed to making. … We beat ourselves in a lot of areas," said coach Tim Brown. "We can't simulate the athleticism and speed and size that forced us into that, so give them credit."
Springdale led by as many as 14 points in the second half before Republic began to cut into the lead, but the Tigers never got the lead under six points until a three-pointer by Ahlante Askew at the buzzer.
Republic's offense continued to struggle Friday, when Rolla held the Tigers under 40 points in a 41-39 win. The game was close throughout the second half, but Republic missed three free throws that could have made the difference in the final 30 seconds.
A three-pointer by Rolla's Gage Klossner at the end of the third quarter ignited a 10-0 run by the Bulldogs that put them on top. They led most of the remainder of the game, but a three-pointer by Askew tied the score 39-39 with 1:23 remaining.
Rolla's Luke Foster made a jumper in the lane to help Rolla retake the lead, and that ended up being the game-winning bucket.
Six different players scored for Republic, but only Devon McMillin finished in double figures.
Republic's offense came alive in the third game of the season Saturday. The Tigers scored 79 points – the highest point total of any team in the tournament's 12 games – to blow out Russellville 79-46. Republic had a 30-point lead at halftime. The Tigers' 47 first-half points equaled their point total from their entire first game and surpassed their total in game two.
Askew, who had been held in check by defenses during Republic's first two losses, exploded for 26 points. He scored 16 of those points in the second quarter, helping the Tigers build a 47-17 lead at the break.
Three other Tigers also scored in double figures. Khamari Edwards dominated in the first quarter to help Republic assert control, scoring nine of his career-high 13 points. Brenley Hagewood also scored 13 points, and it was a career high for him, as well. McMillin finished with 12 points.
Sophomore Jordan Douglas made three three-pointers. He made three in each of the Tigers' first three games.
James Rexroat also scored his first varsity points when he made a three-pointer in the fourth quarter.