Nixa ended Republic’s 12-game winning streak Saturday afternoon, defeating the Tigers 53-47 in a bruising, physical matchup.
Republic (12-1) led through most of the first quarter, and the teams traded the lead seven times in the second period before Nixa took a three-point advantage into halftime. The Tigers regained control in the third quarter, building their largest lead at 36-31.
But Nixa (11-1) responded with 10 consecutive points spanning the end of the third quarter and start of the fourth. During that run, Republic lost leading scorer Brenley Hagewood to injury with 7:00 remaining and trailing 37-36. He didn’t return…