LIBERAL, Kan. - The Independence Men’s Basketball team tripped up down the stretch of a battle with Seward County, resulting in an 80-72 loss, their fourth straight. 

Two teams who have played well the majority of the year and at times in the season found themselves atop the KJCCC standings were both trying to weather the storm of three game losing streaks, as the game swung back and forth all night long. 

The Pirates were able to throw the first punch as Trae Lewis poured in eight straight points early in the first half to give the Pirates a quick six point advantage. 

Sekou Kourouma buried a three pointer to give the Pirates their largest lead of the half at 25-18 around the nine minute mark before Seward quickly answered with a 14-8 run of their own to cut the lead to one. The Pirates looked like they were about to take a slim lead into the halftime locker room, but Seward’s Brooks Powers knocked down a last second shot from just inside half court to give the Saints a one point lead. 

The Pirates came out of the halftime locker room strong, as a 15-7 run, matched their largest lead of the night at 55-48 with just over 12 minutes to play. After the Saints took a timeout to regroup, they came out and played much cleaner down the stretch, limiting turnovers and taking high percentage shots in the paint and were able to tie the game up at 58 at the nine minute mark. 

In a game that looked like it was going to come down to the wire, the Pirates trailed by just one with four minutes left, but the Saints finished on one final 10-3 run, powered by multiple good looks right at the basket and strong defense to pull away for the eight point victory. 

The Pirates had a nice shooting night, finishing 44% from the field and from deep, but finished well below their season average at the free throw line, only converting 16 of 28 tries. The Pirate defense forced 20 turnovers, but were dominated on the glass and in the paint, losing the rebounding battle 39-23 and surrendering 52 points in the paint. 

The Pirates were led offensively by a trio of starters finishing in double figures as Lewis and Kourouma each had 17 points and David Wilson added 15. The trio also accounted for seven of the Pirates 13 steals defensively. 

The Pirates will now try to snap their losing streak against the hottest team in the KJCCC, Barton, who has won seven straight and has propelled themselves to the top of the standings. Indy will travel to Great Bend on Saturday. The Pirates bested the Cougars 81-76 at The Fieldhouse back on January 7th.