DODGE CITY, Kan. - The Independence Men’s Basketball team couldn’t bounce back after a huge first half run from Dodge City, eventually falling to the Conquistadors 87-77 on Saturday afternoon. 

Indy got off to a fast start as they jumped out to a quick 20-12 lead 10 minutes into the first half. Dodge City would respond in a big way as they rattled off nine unanswered points, followed by another stretch of 15 unanswered points as they finished the final stretch of the first half on a 31-9 run. 

Giali Chapman tried his best to will the Pirates back into the game as he scored nine quick points early in the second half, but Dodge City was able to keep the Pirates at bay as shooting struggles were the theme of the night for Indy, as they missed 57 field goal attempts on their way to a 30% shooting night from the field. 

The Pirates were able to cut the lead down to 10 multiple times down the stretch of the second half, but were unable to ever break through as Dodge City completed the season sweep of the Pirates with the 10 point victory. 

Dodge City was very efficient on the offensive end, finishing the day shooting 52% from the field and 44% from deep, ultimately covering up their struggles from the free throw line, as they only converted 52% of 38 free throw attempts.

Independence lost the battle on the glass 49-41, but were able to turn the Conquistadors over 18 times, leading to 19 points. 

The Pirates were led in scoring from a season high 22 points from Chapman, while David Wilson added 21 points and had a career high eight steals defensively. Wilson is second in the KJCCC now, with 62 steals on the season. Lonnie Bass Jr. finished with a game high 13 rebounds. 

The Pirates now shift their focus to Wednesday, when they host Cloud County in the final regular season game, looking to build a little momentum going into the KJCCC tournament. The Pirates seeding for the conference tournament is still very much up in the air with just one game remaining.