COLUMBIA A second chance.

That simple phrase perfectly summed up a complex finish between Liberty North and Republic in the Class 4 semifinals one that left the Eagles searching for answers and sent Republic to the Class 4 state championship game at Mizzou Arena.

Republic senior Marcus Miller made good use of his second chance. Liberty North never got one.

Miller made a game-winning layup rebounding his own miss with 6.5 seconds remaining to lift Republic to a 38-37 win in the Class 4 semifinals Thursday at Mizzou Arena.

In search of the first state championship in school history, Liberty North will instead play in the third-place game for the second consecutive season.

Im devastated for our team, for our players, Liberty coach Chris McCabe said. The worst part about it is we cant go back and change it, and thats what we want to do.

If Liberty North had the choice, it would probably just opt to replay the fourth quarter.

Or perhaps only the final sequence.

Zach Starr gave the Eagles, 25-5, a one-point lead on a drive to the basket with 1:21 remaining. Those were Liberty Norths only two points in the fourth quarter, but they were nearly enough.

On the ensuring possession, Republic guard Canyon Smith missed a three-pointer with 10 seconds remaining, and Liberty North forward Ian Sanderford pulled down the rebound. But when Sanderford tried to gain his balance, he tripped over Miller and was whistled for traveling.

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Liberty North suffers an agonizing loss to Republic in Missouri state semifinal