PRATT, Kan. - The Independence Men’s Basketball team matched their season high, with their fourth consecutive win as they led wire to wire in an 87-75 victory over Pratt on Saturday evening. 

The Pirates maintained a slight lead for much of the first half, until the rattled off 15-5 run down the stretch to push their lead out to 14 late in the first half. Indy led by as much as 16 in the first frame, before the Beavers scored the final four points heading into the locker room. 

The Beavers trimmed the lead to as much as eight in the second half, but the Pirates were too efficient on the offensive end as they kept the Beavers at bay thanks to a 48% shooting night and 38 points in the paint. The Pirates also only turned the ball over eight times compared to 11 Pratt turnovers that the Pirates were able to convert into 16 points. 

This marks the first time this season the Pirates never trailed in a game, and is their second straight road victory, the first time they have achieved that feat this season as well. 

Sterling Knox continued his red hot stretch as he finished with 22 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. David Wilson also finished in double figures with 17 points and was one rebound shy of a double-double with a team high nine. Trae Lewis was the only other starter in double figures as he finished with 16 points on an efficient 6-10 from the field. Xavier Miller chipped in 10 points, his third straight game in double figures off of the bench. 

The Pirates, now 13-8 overall and 11-5 in conference play, sit in sole possession of second place in the KJCCC standings. They will look to eclipse their season long win streak on Wednesday when they play host to Fort Hays Tech Northwest. The Pirates defeated the Tigers 85-83 in Goodland back on December 3rd.