INDEPENDENCE, Kan. - The Independence Men’s Basketball team rallied in the final minutes to force overtime where they would eventually knock off Seward County 87-83 on Saturday evening. 

The first game of 2026 pitted two of the KJCCC’s best early in the season against each other as the Pirates hosted the Seward County Saints, who had a slim half game lead over four other teams atop the conference standings.

The Saints immediately jumped out to a 10-5 lead that included a 10-2 run after the Pirates Trae Lewis poured in a three point shot to kick off the scoring. The Saints were able to maintain that lead for the duration of the first half as the Pirates only cut it as close as four, en route to an eight point halftime lead for the Saints. 

In the early minutes of the second half, the Pirates were able to cut the Saints lead in half, but really began to make their run when Diezel Davis checked in and provided the spark the Pirates had been looking for. Back to back threes from Davis gave the Pirates their first lead since the first points of the game. From that point on, the game was very back and forth, as the Saints were able to push their lead back out to six, but the Pirates immediately answered with a 7-0 run to retake a one point lead. 

With just over three minutes remaining, the Saints were once again able to push their lead out to seven points, but Davis once again provided a spark, as he made a trio of three pointers over a two minute stretch to cut the lead to two in the final minute. 

With nine seconds left, Pirate sophomore David Wilson made the play of the night with the Saints trying to inbound the ball, Wilson was able to tip the pass and chase down the loose ball, as he went crashing into the scores table he passed the ball up ahead to Davis who went straight to the hoop and tied the game with a layup in the final seconds, sending the game to overtime.

Wilson rode the momentum of his game saving play, as he scored the first four points in overtime to help the Pirates grab the early lead. The Pirates were able to take advantage at the free throw line down the stretch of overtime along with making a few key stops as they were eventually able to pull away for the four point victory, securing at least a tie atop the KJCCC standings for the time being.

Ultimately it was a very even game from the two sides, as the Saints shot the ball at a slightly better clip than the Pirates, 42% from the field to 38%. The Pirates did make up for it from the three point line as they edged out the Saints 30% to 23%. Seward had a slight advantage in the rebounding battle, but the Pirates were able to turn 19 Saint turnovers into 26 points. Seward ended the night with 34 bench points while the Pirates got 35 from their bench.  

Wilson led the Pirates with 19 points, while adding six rebounds and five steals with the one at the end of regulation being the most crucial. Davis ended the night with 17 points off of the bench, all coming in the second half. Trashaun Combs-Pierce and Sterling Knox also finished in double figures with 17 points and 11 points respectively, while Combs-Pierce pitched in eight rebounds and Knox added six rebounds and eight assists. Fortune Anslem-Ibe also had a big night off of the bench, as he led the Pirates with 11 rebounds and two blocked shots. 

The Pirates, now 6-2 in KJCCC play, will look to defend home court once again on Wednesday, as they will host Barton at 7:30 pm.