The Independence Pirates lived up to their nickname by stealing a 112-111 overtime basketball victory over the Barton Cougars Wednesday.
The Cougars (13-4, 7-4 Jayhawk) led 61-31 after 90 seconds of the second half.
No one could believe that the Pirates outscored the Cougars by an identical score of 61-31 in the final 18:37 of regulation play to force overtime at 92-92.
Pirate Chiante Tramble benefited from a friendly whistle after being bumped when he heaved a 60-foot shot in the direction of the basket in the final seconds of regulation. Tramble took advantage of the rare call by converting three free throws for a 92-92 tie.
The Pirates led 111-105 with 16 seconds left in overtime, but survived a final burst by the Cougars. Keandre Kindell converted a 3-pointer on a Moss assist. Tramble made a free throw on a Fontaine Williams' technical foul for a 112-108 lead. James Parlow's steal led to a Williams 3-pointer with six seconds. Williams' steal was passed to Kindell who missed a potential game-winning 3-pointer.
Cougar Brent Moss enjoyed a career best night with 40 points and 20 rebounds, but tried one free throw despite attempting 26 field goals. The Pirates converted 38 of 51 free throws to outscore the Cougars by 24 points at the line.
Pirate Trashaun Combs-Pierce scored 30 points and Tramble scored 28 points.
Independence 29 63 20 — 112
Barton 57 35 19 — 111
INDEPENDENCE (8-8, 4-6) (FG 3 FT TP)—Combs-Pierce 8-18 (1-2) 13-16 30; Tramble 6-19 (1-5) 15-17 28; Wilson 5-7 5-8 15; Dixon 4-10 (2-7) 0-0 10; Williams 3-7 (3-6) 0-0 9; Hamilton Brown (2-2) 0-0 6; Brand 2-11 (1-5) 4-4 9; Holdman 0-4 1-2 1; Parks 0-2 0-0 0; Anslemlbe 0-1 0-4 0; Totals 32-86 (10-27) 38-51 112
BARTON (13-4, 7-4)—Moss 19-26 (1-3) 1-1 40; Kindell 6-17 (1-9) 3-3 16; Williams 5-10 (4-6) 1-3 15; Rodriguez 5-12 (2-5) 7-8 19; Parlow 3-10 )0-4) 1-1 7; M'Gombo 1- 0-0 2; Muschitsch 1-5 (0-2)0-0 2; Inanov 0-1 0-0 2; Coombs (0-2) 0-0 0; Chuol 0-1 0-0 0; Totals 44-92 (9-33) 14-18 111
Rebounds—I 57 (Combs Pierce 14); BC 51 (Moss 20). Assists—I 19 (Tramble 11); BC 23 (Kindell 8). Steals—I (Tramble 4); BC 12 (Parlow 3)
JAYHAWK MEN
Cowley 10-1 15-2
Coffeyville 10-1 14-3
Butler 9-2 14-3
Hutchinson 8-3 12-5
Barton 7-4 13-4
Colby 6-6 11-7
Independence 4-6 8-8
Pratt 4-6 8-8
Garden City 4-7 9-8
Cloud 3-8 9-8
Dodge City 3-8 6-11
Hays Northwest 2-9 3-11
Seward 1-10 2-14
1-13—Garden City 85, Cloud 73
1-15—Independence 112, Barton 111 (OT); Hutchinson 67, Seward 50; Coffeyville 80, Dodge City 67; Garden City 88, Pratt 77; Butler 89, Cloud 70; Colby 87, Hays NW 74