HUTCHINSON, Kan. - The Independence Women’s Basketball team couldn’t overcome a tough first half, as they found themselves down by 32 at the half, in an eventual 90-51 loss to Hutchinson Wednesday night. 

The Lady Pirates were battling in the early minutes, Danaiaya Stillwell-Smith scored back to back buckets, followed by a three point make from Nyah Chandler had Indy down 10-7 halfway through the first quarter. The Blue Dragons would end the quarter with 18 unanswered points, and put the game out of reach early.

The Blue Dragons would rattle off a 17-3 run to finish the second quarter, as the Lady Pirates found themselves down 45-13 at the halftime break. 

The Lady Pirates showed some life in the fourth quarter, knocking down four deep balls, three of which came from Mimi White, who finished 4-8 from downtown. 

Independence actually shot the deep ball well all night, as they finished 8-18, good for 44%. Overall, they finished the night shooting 27%, while the Blue Dragons finished at 45% from the field. 

The Blue Dragons had massive advantages in the rebounding battle, and in the paint, as they outrebounded Indy 53-32, which in turn led to 17 second chance points, and had 44-16 in advantage in paint scoring. 

Stillwell-Smith paced the Pirates with 17 points, while White finished with 15 points and added eight rebounds. Jade Oliney impacted the game on both sides of the ball, as she finished with four points, five rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Nyah Chandler also finished in double figures with 11. 

The Lady Pirates will hit the road once again this weekend, as they travel to Pratt to take on the Beavers in a game that could have huge implications on who gets the final playoff spot in the KJCCC. Pratt defeated Independence 83-61 back on November 29th.