Missed Opportunities Cost Pirates Against Tigers

February 2, 2019 

INDEPENDENCE, Kan. - Following a big victory, the Independence Pirates began a three-game homestand hosting the Cowley County Tigers. The game was very close for most of the evening, but when the Tigers attacked the Pirates were unable to keep up, dropping the contest, 72-58. 

The Pirates had two players in double figures led by Tyler Williams with 13 points and Anquaevious Pollard with 10 points. 

"We just didn't take advantage of the breakdowns that Cowley had, and they took advantage of ours," coach Tony Turner said. "We missed several shots that we normally make along with some free throws in crucial moments and they were able to make some three-pointers to stretch lead out. If we want to recover, we need to get tough mentally and physically tougher and drop the selfish mentalities." 

"Neosho is our next opponent and they're very talented and we just have to come out and play our game or it'll be back to square one all over again." 

In the first half, Cole Kinnamon put Cowley on the board, but the Pirates quickly tied it with a dunk from Mamady Djikine before a score from Karl Drammeh. A bucket by Anquaevious Pollard tied the game and a three from Tyreece Berry put the Pirates in the lead by three before a jumper Davontae Pack and a three from Tonje Durham made the sore 10-6 at the 13:10 mark. 

Buckets for Pack and Ricky Edwards had the Pirates leading by four before a three from Darius Harrison but a layup from Tyler Williams put the lead back to three before two free throws from Pack. Another jumper for Williams pushed the lead back to three before a score from JayLenn Corbett, but Williams delivered again making it 18-15 Independence at the 9:20 mark. 

A bank shot from Julius Nwosu followed by a free throw tied the game before a floater from Sean Pollack, but a three from Pack gave Cowley a one-point advantage. A score by Pollard put the Pirates back up by one before a three-point play by Nwosu and free throws from Harrison, but after a bucket from Edwards the score was 26-24 Cowley at the 2:45 mark. A three from Kinnamon pushed the lead to five before a free throw from Williams and it was a 29-25 lead for Cowley going into the break. 

The second half began with a dunk from Deng Bol before free throws by Pollard and a layup by Durham had the Pirates within two before a layup by Pollard tied it up. A put back from Nwosu gave Cowley a two-point advantage and a score for Harrison pushed the lead to four and another bucket for Harrison made the score 37-31 with 15:20 remaining. 

A layup for Durham cut the lead back to four before a floater from Williams who tied it up on the next possession with a quick layup. A free throw by Pollack gave Independence a one-point lead before a dunk from Nwosu and a three from Harrison made it 42-38 Tigers with 10:25 remaining. 

A free throw rom Berry cut the lead to three, but another dunk from Nwosu took it back to five before a score by Jibril Harris. Free throws by Harrison got the lead back to five before a jumper from Harris but Pack responded with a jumper before a score by Pollard made the score 48-45 with 8:15 remaining.  

Another free throw for Pack got the lead out to four and a basket for Dylan Vincent followed by a score for Nwosu had the Tigers ahead by nine. A trip to the line for Harris converted two free throws before two shots from Djikine, but another score by Nwosu made it a seven-point lead before a jumper by Williams with 5:30 remaining.  

A three by Vincent pushed the lead to eight and Nwosu continued to score to make the lead a 10-point advantage before a jumper by Edwards. A bank shot for Harrison got the lead back to ten before a three by Berry, but another score for Harrison had the score 65-56 with 2:20 remaining. 

A three for Kinnamon gave Cowley a twelve-point lead before a bucket from Harrison and a pair of free throws for Pack pushed the lead to sixteen. A score for Djikine closed out the game and the Pirates were stunned as they dropped the contest. 

Independence (13-10, 8-6) returns to ICC Field House Wednesday February 6 hosting the Neosho County Panthers with tipoff set for 8 pm.