INDEPENDENCE, Kan. - The Independence Men’s Basketball team put together their most complete performance of the year as they knocked off Coffeyville for the first time since 2021, 81-67 Monday Night. 

The Pirates got off to a red hot start, especially on the defensive end, as they used a 19-2 early first half run to jump out to a 16 point lead at 23-7. 

A Trae Lewis three point shot would again push the Pirate lead to 16 at the nine minute mark of the first half, Lewis would pour in two of the Pirates three deep balls in the half. 

The Red Ravens would hang around but were unable to cut the deficit back to single digits in the first half, as Sterling Knox buried a jumper at the buzzer to give Indy a 44-30 lead heading into the break.

Coffeyville was able to make their push in the second half, as they rallied back, using a 22-12 run across the first 11 minutes of the second half to trim the Pirate lead down to four. 

With the Pirates leading by six at the seven minute mark, Trashaun Combs-Pierce knocked down two free throws, followed by one of his game high four blocks, that led to a transition three point shot from Lewis, that pushed the Pirate lead back out to double digits at 67-56. The Pirates would ride that momentum down the stretch, as the Red Ravens were never able to pull back within single digits, as the Pirates iced the game down the stretch en route to a crucial KJCCC victory, and their first over their cross-county rivals in four seasons. 

This was the strongest defensive performance of the season for the Pirates, as they forced 15 Red Raven turnovers and held their rivals to 34% from the field and 18% from deep. The Pirates had themselves a very balanced and efficient offensive night as well, as they were 50% from the field and from three, including going 19-22 from the free throw line that helped them put the game away down the stretch. 

Lewis led the way with a game high 22 points, while Trashaun Combs-Pierce finished in double figures with 13 points while adding in six rebounds and four blocks. Sterling Knox finished with his second consecutive double-double as he poured in 12 points and added to his KJCCC lead in assists with 10. Xavier Miller was nearly perfect from the field, shooting 6-7 on his way to a season high 16 points, while Lonnie Bass Jr. pitched in 10 points off the bench as well. 

The win moves the Pirates to 9-5 in conference play and gives them a two game lead for one of the crucial top four seeds in the conference standings. The Pirates now shift their focus to Wednesday as they will have a quick turnaround when they travel to Hutchinson to take on the Blue Dragons. Indy defeated Hutchinson at the Fieldhouse back on November 25th, 88-80.