DODGE CITY, Kan. -- Snapping a three-game losing streak with a 74-66 victory over Butler on Wednesday, the Dodge City Community College men's basketball team is looking to make it two wins in a row and return to .500 in KJCCC play when the Conqs travel to face Independence 6 p.m. Saturday.

The Conqs (11-5 overall, 2-3 KJCCC) turned a tie halftime score into a an eight-point win over the Grizzlies thanks to keeping Butler off the offensive glass. After allowing 16 offensive rebounds in the first half (leading to 11 second-chance points), the Conqs held the Grizzlies to two offensive rebounds and no second-chance points.

Leading the way for the Conqs Wednesday was Josh Boutte with 20 points and eight rebounds. The 6-foot-6 freshman is averaging 14.4 points on 65.1 percent shooting from the field (first in the KJCCC, 19th in the NJCAA) while grabbing 8.8 rebounds per contest (just 0.1 rebounds behind the KJCCC leaders).

Emerging as of late for the Conqs has been sophomore guard Jamil Hood. While he's averaging 9.8 points per game, Hood has increased that to 13.8 points per game in conference play.

As for Independence (11-4, 2-4), it is coming off a 63-46 loss on the road to Barton on Wednesday - a game the Pirates shot just 26.8 percent from the field.

However, Independence did notch a 79-66 win over No. 24 Seward County on Jan. 2 in its first game back from the holiday break. In the Pirates' other four conference games, they defeated Cloud County (84-73) and lost to Colby (65-62), Garden City (76-70) and No. 1 Hutchinson (76-70).

Leading the Pirates in scoring is Davauhnte Turner at 16.9 per game as the 6-foot sophomore is shooting 58.5 percent from the field and 45.3 percent from 3-point range. He's also averaging 4.1 rebounds (second on team), 2.7 assists (tied for team lead) and 1.4 steals (third on the team).

Also averaging double figures for Independence is 6-foot-1 sophomore David Beasley at 10.9 points per game (including shooting 47.2 percent from 3-point range) and 6-foot-2 freshman Tate Turner at 10.1 points per contest.

These teams have played only a few times in recent years - last meeting Nov. 8, 2013, a 85-81 Independence win. The Pirates have won the last four times (November 2013, March 2013, December 2008, November 2008) with the Conqs last winning during the 2006-07 season (78-72).