INDEPENDENCE, Kan. - The Independence Women’s Basketball team surrendered a fourth quarter run to the visiting Barton Cougars on Wednesday night, on their way to a 59-51 loss, their fourth consecutive KJCCC loss. 

The Lady Pirates played their cleanest game of the year, only turning the ball over 12 times, which is about 10 less per game than their average. It was that clear play that allowed Indy to jump out to an early lead, and keep themselves in the game for the majority of the evening. 

Indy jumped out to a 15-8 lead late in the first quarter after a layup by Danaiya Stillwell-Smith, who finished with a team high 12 points for the Pirates. The Lady Pirates would finish the first frame leading 15-11. 

Early in the second quarter, Barton capped off an 11-2 run to regain a 19-17 advantage, their first lead since the halfway mark of the first quarter. The two teams would trade baskets and trade runs down the stretch of the first half as Cinayah Ekwuruke scored the final four points for the Pirates en route to a 27-all tie heading into the halftime break. 

Half way through the third quarter, Indy pushed their lead out to nine which would be their largest of the evening. Barton immediately responded with a 13-2 run to close out the frame and take a two point lead into the fourth and final quarter. 

Barton continued their run into the early minutes of the fourth quarter as they quickly scored the first four points to push their lead to six with eight and half minutes to play. Indy would cut the lead back down to three with a pair of free throws from Jade Oliney, before Barton threw one final punch in the form of a 10-2 run that pushed the Cougar lead all the way to 11. 

Stillwell-Smith scored the final six points of the game for Indy but it wasn't enough as the Pirates eventually fell by eight points.

The Cougars did have slight advantages in shooting and on the glass as they poured in 37% of their shots compared to the Pirates 27%, and outrebounded Indy 44-40. The Lady Pirates did turn 14 Barton turnovers into 11 points, but the Cougars dominated in the paint, with 38 of their points coming from in close.

Stillwell-Smith led the way with her 12 points and nine rebounds, while Jade Oliney also finished in double figures with 11, including a team high four assists. Ekwuruke pitched in eight points off the bench for Indy. 

The loss moves the Pirates to 4-11 overall and a 1-8 record in KJCCC play. Indy now gears up for a tough road test this Saturday as they travel to Arkansas City to take on Cowley, tip-off set for 1:00 PM.