January 24, 2008

ICC Sports Information

for immediate release

 Pirates Bounce #11 Cowley

Independence, KS-   The Independence Pirates gained sole possession of first place in the Jayhawk East with a 86-74 victory over the #11 ranked Cowley College Tigers.  With both teams entering the contest with a 6-0 conference records, the contest had the makings of a great game, and it definitely lived up to its billing.

Independence opened the game up with an 8-2 lead after Donald Rowe hit a three point basket.  Cowley would close the gap to two after Chris Rhymes completed a three point play.  ICC got things rolling and took a 29-19 lead.  Cowley inched closer and with ICC leading 40-31, went on a 7-3 run to close out the half.  ICC led 43-38 going into the intermission.

Both teams scored would exchange baskets early in the second half.  With ICC ahead 52-48, ICC went on a 7-0 run to extend its lead to 11 points at 59-48.  Cowley would not back down though and cut the lead back to 4 with 11:15 to go in the game to make the score 61-57 in favor of the Pirates.  ICC answered with a 7-0 run to get the lead back to double-digits at 68-57.  ICC held the lead and finished strong with an 86-74 victory.

Antonio Hanson and Michael Craion led ICC in scoring with 19 points each.  Daniel Rowe followed with 16 and James Bush added 13.  Bush also led the Pirates in rebounding with 8.  Hanson and Chris Heard both had 4 assists.  Mekan Moss added 3 steals.

With the win, ICC improved to 16-3 (7-0) and pushed its win streak to 15 games.

The Pirates travel to Chanute, KS on Saturday, January 26th to face the Neosho County Panthers 10-9 (5-2) at 8pm.