The Republic Lady Tigers clawed their way back from a 10-point deficit to force overtime at Marshfield Monday, before falling in overtime 58-57. Republic trailed 33-23 late in the 3rd quarter. They used a frenzied full-court press to get back in the game, and took the lead with :38 left on a layup by Elle Aston, 48-47. But Marshfield hit a free throw with :15 remaining in regulation to tie the game, and Sarah Kreul missed a jumper at the buzzer that would have won it.
In overtime, Marshfield jumped ahead 53-50 before Courtney Gardner tied it with a 3-pointer. After a Marshfield free throw, Gardner hit another 3-pointer to make the lead 56-54. But from that point, Republic missed five of six free throws, including two by Payton Rayl with :06 remaining. The Lady Tigers rebounded the second miss, but a three-point attempt by Gardner rattled in and out, and Sarah Kreul’s hurried follow-up shot failed to fall, giving Marshfield a 58-57 win.
Gardner led Republic in scoring with 19 points. Jayme Sifferman had 10. Sarah Kreul provided a key spark off the bench to get the Lady Tigers back in the game in the 2nd half, and she finished with 8. Elle Aston added seven points to go along with some important defensive plays during the Lady Tigers’ run. Kyra Ramsey had 6 points, Kayce Duvall had 5, and Payton Rayl had 2.
Jessie Bruton had 15 points to lead the Lady Jays. Amanda Gourley had 13.