SPRINGFIELD — Republic again made the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association’s state rankings look rather ridiculous.
Nixa was ousted 53-49 by the Lady Tigers in a Class 6 District 5 semifinal Friday. It’s the third time in as many games this season COC champion Republic got the best of the Lady Eagles.
Someone needs to send that paragraph in a memo to the MBCA voters, who haven't shown Repmo much respect. Though no fault of its own, Nixa (21-7) was ahead of Republic (23-4) in the Class 6 rankings all season. The final regular-season poll released two weeks ago had the Lady Eagles No. 9 and the Lady Tigers No. 10.
The Lady Eagles lost this one from the 3-point line, where they were outscored 24-9.
Nixa was within a point of the lead, 49-48, before Republic's Alex Price nailed a 3-pointer with 1:03 to play.
The Lady Eagles trailed almost all night, but did break out to a 29-26 lead at the start of the second half. However, midway through the third quarter Republic was back up 35-29.
Nixa's biggest deficit in the second half was seven, 47-40.
The Lady Eagles rallied and a Brooke Teter steal and layup made it 49-48.
Sadie Conway and Taylor Wood both scored a dozen points to lead Nixa. Karis Ferguson came off the bench to provide eight points.
Nixa has lost four straight to Republic dating back to last season.
