Republic held off a fourth-quarter rally by Mountain Grove to advance to the Blue & Gold Tournament semifinals on Saturday, defeating the Panthers 60-54 at Great Southern Bank Arena.
The Tigers led by as many as 11 points in the first half but saw that advantage disappear in the final period. Mountain Grove tied the game three times in the fourth quarter, but each time Republic answered immediately.
After Eli Golden made two free throws to tie the score 45-45, AJ Uhl made a one-handed jump shot in the lane to put Republic back on top. Kale Gardner tied it again for Mountain Grove, and Uhl dropped a dagger with a three-pointer from the right wing to make it 50-47…