Balanced Attack Boosts Pirates To Victory At Allen County
January 30, 2019
IOLA, Kan. - Riding a two-game skid, the Independence Pirates were determined to get back to the positives on the road against the Allen County Red Devils. It was a battle the whole night, but determination along with several key rebounds led to a Pirates' victory to snap the streak, 72-63.
The Pirates had two players in double figures with 16 points from Anquaevious Pollard and 14 points from Ricky Edwards.
"It's always tough to win at Allen, but if you can it's a great feeling," coach Tony Turner said. "I thought we moved the ball well and spread it out well to get the ball inside to our bigs who made some key plays in this victory."
"The next three games are at home and we just need to come in ready and handle our business."
In the first half, a three-pointer from Ricky Edwards got the Pirates on the board and a bucket from Tonje Durham pushed the lead to five before a free throw by Kofi Maze. A three by Darius love got Allen County on the board and a shot from the line for Malik Hardmon cut the lead to two a free throw from Love made the score 6-5 Independence at the 16:00 mark.
Allen took a one-point lead with a jumper from Perry Carroll before a shot from JIbril Harris, but a basket by Hardmon with a free throw following put Allen in the lead by two. Another basket by Hardmon pushed the Red Devils' lead out to four before a free throw from Edwards and a layup by Alex Torres made it a one-point game before a three by Wesley Anderson made it 15-11 at the 9:22 mark.
A bucket by Anquaevious Pollard brought Independence within two and a score from Durham tied the game at 15-15, but Allen retook the lead after a free throw by CJ Parks. Another basket for Durham put the Pirates up by one and a layup from Pollard pushed the lead to three before a long shot by Carroll tied it at 18-18 at the 7:15 mark.
"The mindset going forward is to stay focused and keep listening to the coaches," Pollard said. "We just have to keep grinding, because we had gone on a little losing streak, but now it's time to buckle down and get back to winning."
Five points from each team tied the game at 23-23 before free throws from Love, but a basket by Kori Guest tied the game once again at 25-25. A trip to the line by Hardmon resulted in one shot made but a put back from Nathan Williams off the miss gave Allen a 28-25 lead at the 4:15 mark.
A layup off the alley by Kevin Charles brought the Pirates within one before a three by Trez Hankins, but quick scores for Edwards on back to back occasions tied the game at 31-31 before a free throw from Williams. Another score for Charles gave the Pirates the lead before a bucket from Carroll, but a dunk by Charles gave Independence the lead before a last second jumper from Parks gave Allen a 36-34 advantage going into the half.
The second half began with a score by Tyus Jeffries followed by a basket from Carroll to push the lead out to five before a basket from Pollard. A free throw by Hardmon and a jumper for Parks pushed the lead to six before a score from Pollard and a bucket from Durham made the score 43-41 Allen with 15:24 remaining.
Independence took the lead after a three-pointer from Tyreece Berry before a three from Love, but a score on the alley from Sean Pollack tied it up at 46-46. A three by Hankins reclaimed the lead for the Red Devils but a floater from Edwards made it 49-48 with 10:50 remaining.
A trip to the line for Carroll was enough for a two-point lead with one shot before a basket from Williams, but back to back fast breaks kept the game tied at 52-52. Another score for Williams with a free throw added gave Independence a three-point advantage before another bucket for Williams pushed it to five and a bank shot by Pollard made the score 59-52 Independence with 7:52 remaining.
A free throw from Anderson cut the lead down to six before a basket from Hardmon, but a three for Berry put the lead out to seven before another bucket for Hardmon. A trip to the line for Pollack resulted in two free throws made and a three from Durham made it 67-57 with 4:00 remaining
A layup by Hardmon cut the lead to eight and a shot from Anderson got it down to six before free throws from Love made the score 67-63. A trip to the line for Williams resulted in two made free throws along with three foul shots from Berry put the Pirates up by nine for the remainder of the contest and the Pirates picked up the much-needed victory.
Independence (13-9, 8-5) returns home Saturday February 2 hosting the Cowley County Tigers with tipoff set for 6 pm.