Tough loss for the Saints in double overtime against Independence

LIBERAL, Kan.- Seward County falls in double overtime to Independence Community College 95-89, the Saints are now 8-7 on the season and 1-5 in Conference play. The Saints were able to tie the Pirates at the end of regulations with a three-point shot by Branton McCrary and in the first overtime with Samuel Henderson going two for two from the free-throw line. A late technical foul on the Saints for calling a timeout with none left in the second overtime, gave the Pirates the lead 90-89 and the ball, to edge out Seward County in the Greenhouse.

Halfway through the first half, it would be all tied at 17 apiece but the Saints would go on a 14-4 run to lead 31-21. This would be the early separation for Seward County, they would lead 40-28 at halftime. Saints shot 56% from the field in the first half and outrebounded the Pirates 21-11. Able to establish full-court pressure, the Saints were able to disrupt Independence's offense in the first half.

The Pirates would take control in the second half, with the Saints unable to duplicate their offensive efficiency from the first half. Independence stormed back to tie the game at 51 all with 7:58 remaining in the half and would look to separate themselves from the Saints. The Pirates would take the lead and hold on to it until Greg Johnson would tie it back up at 65 apiece with 45 seconds left by connecting on one of two from the free-throw line. The following possession, Independence's Terry Collins would give them the lead 68-65 with 14 seconds left.

The Saints' McCrary would connect on a pump fake three at the buzzer to send the game into its first overtime. The second half would see the halftime scores flipped in favor of the Pirates but with the final shot, the momentum would swing back to the Saints.

The first overtime Seward County would trail for four minutes but would remain within one possession of the Pirates. With 1:07 left McCrary connected on free throws to give the Saints their first lead of overtime 77-76. At 14 seconds left the Saints would receive a technical foul on Head Coach Jason Sautter for a coach's box violation and gave the Pirates two free-throws to lead 79-77. Once again, the Saints would not back down as Henderson would draw a foul with one second left and the freshman would connect on both free throws to send the game to the second overtime.

The second overtime the Saints would lead 85-79 with 2:45 remaining. The Pirates would once again battle back to regain the lead 88-87 with 30 seconds remaining and after a basket by the Saints to regain the lead 89-88. Seward County would call a timeout that they did not have left and would be assessed a technical foul. This gave Independence two free throws and possession of the ball leading it 90-89.

The Saints full-court defense would give up an open lay-up and then the Saints would frantically inbound the ball to Independence's Demetric Horton who would catch and shoot from three with nine seconds left, to give the Pirated their largest lead of the game and the final score 95-89.

The Pirates were paced by Zahir Porter with 24 points, followed by Sam'i Roe with 22 points. Demetric Horton also in double digits for Independence with 18 points.

Seward County had two players with double-doubles with Branton McCrary's 19 points, 11 rebounds, and Surakata Jawara with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Also, in double digits for the Saints were Rostyslav Novitskyi with 18 points and Greg Johnson with 16 points.

The Saints are back on the road at Neosho County Community College on Saturday and will start at 7:30 PM.