LIBERAL, Kan. - The Independence Women’s Basketball team got off to a great start on Wednesday night, but couldn’t tie it together for four quarters as they ended up falling 91-52 to Seward County. 

The Lady Pirates came out firing on the road, as they quickly jumped out to a lead after Mimi White converted an old-fashioned three point play early in the first quarter. Indy pushed that early lead out even further after a three from Flutra Mehmeti, giving the Lady Pirates their largest lead of the night at five. 

The Saints were able to settle in and salvage the first frame, finishing on a 10-2 run to regain the lead, a lead they would never squander. Following the Lady Pirates hot start, the Saints got going offensively, more specifically the KJCCC’s leading scorer Avery Marchino got going as she scored seven of the Saints final 10 points in the first quarter and had no plans of slowing down as she finished with a game high 38 points. 

The Pirates could never weather the flurry of runs the Saints made throughout the rest of the contest as a quick 11-1 run to begin the second quarter pushed the Saint lead out to double digits. 

The Pirates did cut the lead back down to six about halfway through the second quarter, but the Saints quickly answered with an 8-2 run to take a 12 point lead into the halftime locker room. 

An 18-5 Saints run to end the third quarter pushed the lead out to 25 and seemingly put the game out of reach for Indy.

The Saints were extremely efficient from the field, shooting 54%, while dominating the paint with 66 of their 91 points coming from in close. The Lady Pirates finished the day shooting 31% from the field, 20% from deep and just 42% from the free throw line. Turnovers plagued the Lady Pirates as well, as 20 turnovers led to 26 points for the Saints. 

Danaiya Stillwell-Smith got back on track with another double-double as she finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds to pace the Pirates. Jade Oliney also finished in double figures with 12 points, while adding five rebounds, a game high seven assists and three steals. 

The Lady Pirates will hit the road once again this weekend as they travel to Great Bend to take on Barton. The Lady Pirates lost to Barton 59-51 at The Fieldhouse back on January 7th.