Dodge City men's basketball showed true grit as they secured a win at home 81-76 over Independence. 

The Conquistadors move to 12-16 on the season with the win and 9-13 in KJCCC action, while ninth in a row against the Pirates of Independence. 

After the initial bucket of the game by Independence the Conqs would answer with a 13-0 run to lead 13-12 nearly five minutes into the game. The Conqs would work the lead up to 16 at 20-4 nearly seven minutes into the contest. Indy would counter with a push bringing it to a two-point game at 27-25 with 6:29 remaining in the first half as the Pirates went on a 21-7 run. The Conqs would not give up the lead and carry a 39-34 win into halftime. The lead remained for the Conqs until 9:21 remaining in the game as Independence would even the game up at 57-57 and the teams would trade points back and forth until the Pirates would lead 69-66 with just under four and a half minutes left. With free throws, the Pirates made it a 71-71 game with 2:42 remaining and the Conqs would finish the game outscoring Independence 10-5 the rest of the way as the Conqs would secure the win from the free throw line winning 81-76. 

While the Conqs shot just 33.8% from the field they went 33-49 from the free-throw line. Jayse Boatwright paced the Conqs with a career-high 24 points as he was 6-14 shooting and 11-14 from the charity stripe while adding seven rebounds. Mynor Strong chipped in 14 points along with six rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Derrick Rivers added 13 points, while Kejuan Payne had eight points and eight rebounds.

The Conqs will play on #18 Coffeyville on Saturday, March 1st at 3:00 pm in the regular season home game. It will be sophomore day as we will recognize the Conq sophomores before the game.