INDEPENDENCE, Kan. - The Independence Women’s Basketball team couldn’t overcome a slow start as they fell at home to Cowley on Wednesday night, 73-50. 

The loss marks the sixth in a row for the Lady Pirates and leaves them in a tie for the 12th and final playoff spot in the KJCCC. 

Cowley came out of the gates scorching hot, as they buried seven first quarter threes en route to a 27-12 lead after one. Indy was able to weather the storm in the second quarter, shooting 50% from the field to win the second quarter 14-10 cutting the Tiger lead to 11. 

The 11 point halftime deficit was as close as the Lady Pirates would come to closing the deficit, as the Tigers scored the first six points of the second half and never looked back, outscoring Indy 36-24 in the second half on their way to the 23 point victory. 

Cowley did cool off from deep after the first quarter, but still shot the ball effectively at 41% from the field, compared to Indy’s 36%. Cowley was nearly automatic from the free throw line finishing 13-14 from the stripe. Indy did have a slight edge on the glass at 37-36, but Cowley turned the Lady Pirates over 26 times leading to 27 points. 

Flutra Mehmeti was the only Lady Pirate to finish in double figures as she knocked down four three point shots on her way to 12 points, while Joy Biribebe and Danaiya Stillwell-Smith each pulled down seven boards to pace Indy on the glass. Biribebe also had a team high three blocks in the loss. 

The Pirates will now travel to Dodge City, needing just one more win to help solidify their spot in the KJCCC tournament. Independence gave the nationally ranked Dodge City all they could handle back on January 14th in a 61-54 loss. Tip-off for Saturday is set for 1:00 pm.