HUTCHINSON, Kan. - The Independence Men’s Basketball team trailed by as much as 17 on the road Wednesday night, but like we have seen a handful of times this year, they rallied back in the final minutes, to eventually win 91-89 in overtime, to knock off Hutchinson.

The Pirates, who already have had their struggles away from home this year, found themselves down by double digits at the half, after the Blue Dragons used a pair of big scoring runs. 

Indy still trailed by as much as 11, with just under 5 minutes remaining as they spent much of the second frame trading buckets with the Blue Dragons. The Pirates chipped a bit closer, although they still trailed by eight with just over two minutes to go. 

The momentum seemed to shift a little bit after Trae Lewis was able to create a hustle play as he tracked down his own free throw miss, to get himself two more foul shots.

With just under two minutes left, Sterling Knox intercepted a pass and found Lewis in transition who buried a three point shot to cut the Blue Dragon lead to four. After another crucial defensive stop, it was Xavier Miller coming up clutch with a deep ball that cut the Hutchinson lead down to one with just under a minute to play. 

The Blue Dragons would convert just one of their two free throw attempts in their next possession, as Sterling Knox knocked down the mid range jumper to tie the score at 81. With the game in the balance, Lonnie Bass Jr came up with a huge defensive play, blocking a shot that led to a transition opportunity for Indy, where the third time was the charm, as after back to back contested misses inside, Knox came in and cleaned up the mess with the tip-in to give the Pirates a two point lead. 

Hutchinson answered with a bucket of their own, leaving Indy six seconds and a chance for the final shot, as Knox pulled up on the left wing and the shot rattled in and out, sending the game to overtime. 

In the extra frame, the two teams traded buckets throughout, as neither team ever led by more than a basket. 

With 10 seconds left, the Blue Dragons knocked in a pair of free throws to tie the game once again. 

In what was almost a carbon copy of the end of regulation, Knox had the ball in his hand with a chance to be the hero again. Knox was able to get to his spot on the left wing, and this time buried the redemption shot, giving the Pirates a two point lead with less than half a second remaining, as the Blue Dragons were unable to get a final shot off. 

The Pirates overcame a slot start to their shooting night, finishing 39% from the field, and 41% from deep. Indy was also nails from the free throw line, which played a crucial part in the comeback effort as they finished 19-23 from the charity stripe.

David Wilson finished the night with a team high 21 points, as Knox poured in 20 himself, along with 10 rebounds and eight assists, another near triple-double. Trae Lewis was the other starter to finish in double figures as he had 13 points. Xavier Miller had his second consecutive double digit performance off the bench as he finished with 14 points, and Lonnie Bass Jr finished with a double-double off the bench with 11 points and a game high 14 rebounds. 

The Pirates, now 10-5 in the KJCCC, will look to pick up another crucial road win this weekend as they travel to take on Pratt. The Pirates defeated the Beavers 81-80 back on November 29th.