KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The Independence Men's Basketball team was able to finish the weekend on a high note after dropping their first game in Kansas City to North Central Missouri on Friday, but bouncing back to defeat Metropolitan CC on Saturday.
On Friday, the Pirates came up short in a back and forth affair with NC Missouri. Indy was never able to make that big run to jump out to a lead in the first half as they trailed by six at the half. The Pirates came out of the locker room on fire as a quick 18-7 run gave them a five point lead early in the second half. With the game tied at 60 at the 12 minute mark, North Central Missouri rattled off a 16-4 run over the stretch of the ensuing six minutes to break the game open. The Pirates trailed by as much as 13 down the stretch but was able to string together one last rally that came up short as they cut it down to five, the same deficit of the final score, 86-81.
Sterling Knox led the way for the Pirates with 25 points on a super efficient 11-13 from the field. Knox also added four rebounds and six assists. David Wilson also finished in double figures, as did Zion Dixon who had a personal best for the season, 12 points off of the bench.
Now on a three game losing streak, the Pirates bounced back in a big way on Saturday as they knocked off Metropolitan CC 113-74. It was all defense in the first half for the Pirates, followed by a massive offensive half in the second, as they held Metro to 29 first half points, and then exploded for 70 points on offense in the second half. The Pirates had one of their best shooting days early in the season as they shot 54% from the field and 41% from deep.
Indy had six players finish in double figures, led by an efficient 22 point day for David Wilson. Xavier Miller had his best scoring day as a Pirate, as he pitched in 14 points, and Lonnie Bass Jr. had his second double-double of the year with 14 points and 12 boards. Diezel Davis also had career high 11 points off of the bench.
The Pirates now move into KJCCC play with an overall record of 2-3. They look to have their team back to full strength with multiple players returning from injury as they travel to take on Colby on Wednesday in the conference opener.