Box Score INDEPENDENCE, Kan. – Even though Makaela Ewing scored 12 points in the first half and the Conqs held the Pirates to just one field goal in the fourth quarter, the Conqs fell to Independence on Thursday afternoon, 51-45.
 
Ewing led the Conquistadors with 14 points in the game, while also pulling down five boards. Kaylyn Maple led with nine rebounds while Kaylee Dale pulled down seven rebounds.
 
In a low scoring first quarter, the Conqs were able to take a 6-5 lead on a three by Rylee Burris, but a layup at the just before the buzzer by the Pirates ended the first quarter with the score tied at eight.
 
Early in the second quarter, the Pirates grabbed a 15-12 lead, but after a timeout, the Conqs went on a 4-0 run to take a 16-15 lead. The Conqs were able to get a two-point lead, but the Pirates quickly took the lead back, 23-21.
 
For most of the third quarter, it looked like the Pirates were beginning to take control, extending their lead to 44-31, but the Conquistadors would not go away easily, cutting the lead to 44-36 with less than a minute left in the quarter. 
 
After two free throws by the Pirates, Kaylyn Maple finished the unconventional three-point play to cut the lead to seven at the end of the third, 46-39.
 
It took 4:40 for someone to score in the fourth quarter, but Burris was able to open up the scoring with a tough layup to cut the lead to 46-41. The Pirates still had trouble scoring, not getting their first basket until 2:30 left in the quarter and pushing the lead back to 49-42.
 
The Pirates were able to knock down two free throws with 7.3 seconds left and Fitts hit a three as the clock expired as the Pirates won, 51-45.
 
The Conquistadors move to 11-16 overall and 8-16 in KJCCC play. They will be in action again on Saturday as they travel to Seward County. The Saints won the first matchup of the year in Dodge City, 88-53.