Tigers Blow Past Wildcats With Big 3rd Quarter

Republic stepped up its intensity, shut down Neosho, and sprinted away from the Wildcats in a 63-45 win on the road Tuesday night. Treydon Rackley scored 18 of his game-high 23 points in the second half to fuel the come-from-behind victory.

Neosho entered the game on a seven-game losing streak, but they made six three-pointers in the first half. The Wildcats scored the last five points of the second quarter to take a 27-24 lead into the halftime break. Coach Trevyor Fisher says the Tigers’ defensive effort wasn’t up to par in the first half, leading to Neosho’s success from long range.

“They were wide open. I told the guys in the locker room, if we don’t play with energy and intensity and effort, we’re a very mediocre team,” Fisher says. “That’s why we’ve been successful this year: for the most part, we’ve out-toughed people and we’ve played harder. When we don’t, we’re just an average team and any team can beat us.”

The third quarter was a different story, with the Tigers bolting from the gate quickly. A Ty Stevens layup got things started, and a Tristan Ollar free throw tied the gam 27-27. Then Treydon Rackley stole the ball on two consecutive possessions and converted both into buckets, giving Republic a 31-27 lead.

“He did a good job of getting a couple of steals, getting some rebounds, getting it out in transition and finishing at the basket,” Fisher says of Rackley. “That’s what he’s done for us all year. He gave us that little spark to get the fire going.”

By the end of the third quarter, Republic led 44-39. They pulled away in the fourth quarter for the 18-point victory.

Rackley led Republic with 23 points. Ty Stevens and Tristan Ollar had 14 apiece. Devon Ward scored four. Mitch Coiner and Caleb Singley each had three. Cameron Doke added two.

The Tigers improve to 17-4. They remain undefeated in the Central Ozark Conference, and they host unbeaten Nixa in a showdown Friday night at Republic.

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