Saints fall short in heartbreaker at Independence in Season Finale

INDEPENDENCE, Kan.- Seward County Community College comes up short at Independence Community College in the first round of the Region VI Tournament with a 63-62 loss. The Saints took a 62-60 lead after a mid-range field goal from Bee McCrary with 3.3 seconds left. Independence drew a foul as they attempted a three-point shot with 0.7 seconds left and the Pirates Mikale Stevenson made all three free throws to steal the win away from Seward County. The season comes to an end for the Saints and they finish the 2021 season with an 8-13 overall record.

In the first half, the Saints and the Pirates came out with similar energy and both teams stayed within four points of each other. With 11:12 left in the half, Seward County trailed Independence 16-12. The Saints continued to traded off baskets and went into halftime down by two, 30-28. Seward County shot 42% from the field and shot 30% from the three-point range. 

To start off the second half Seward County scored on their first possession with a field goal from Mike Rivera to tie it at 30 all. The Saints were able to jump ahead with 16:24 left in the game and had a 37-32 lead over the Pirates that forced Independence to take a timeout. Seward County continued to hold their lead over the Pirates until 2:55 when both teams were tied at 57 all. Both teams exchanged baskets and the two teams remained tied with 34 seconds left at 60 all.

Seward County had possession after the timeout and with a three second difference on the shot clock and game clock, the Saints would look for a shot late in the shot clock. Bee McCrary did just that with a mid-range jump shot from inside the three point line and connected to give Seward a 62-60 lead with 3.3 left in the game. The Pirates pushed up the court and shot a three from inside the half court line and got fouled by Seward County with 0.7 seconds left.

After the Pirates made the first two free throws the Saints called a timeout to distract the shooter but to no avail as Independence took a 63-62 lead. The Saints had one last opportunity but could not convert as the time ran out.  

Mike Rivera had a season high 22 points, six rebounds, and one assist. Samuel Henderson had 15 points, seven rebounds, and two steals off of the bench for the Saints. 

Seward County will finish the 2021 season with an 8-13 overall record and finished seventh in the Jayhawk West with an 8-12 record.