Tuesday’s road game for the Independence men’s basketball team saw the Patriots open a 12-3 lead in the first 3.25 minutes only to see the Knights fight back and take a 18-17 first quarter lead.
Indy’s De’Drick Givens started the Indy run with an inside basket followed by a Nygell Verdier basket. Anthony Allen got into the scoring column with a 3-point basket. Nygell Verdier also drained a 3-pointer, and Tachai Miller finished the run with a basket to give the Patriots the 12-3 lead.
However, by the 1:53 mark the Knights had cut Indy’s lead to one at 14-13.
With a minute left in the first quarter, the Knights took the lead 16-14 on a baseline 3-point basket. However, Anthony Allen answered with a 3-pointer of his own to put Indy back in the lead 17-16. But with 23 seconds left in the period, Ardrey Kell hit a little jump hook to take a 18-17 lead as the first quarter came to an end.
Indy started the second period on a fast break with Anthony Allen going in for the dunk giving the Patriots a 19-18 lead. After Ardrey Kell hit a short jumper, Indy’s Jalen Hinton and Nygell Verdier both scored giving Indy a three point lead 23-20 only to have the Knights sink a 3-point basket to tie the score 23-23.
With 5:45 left in the half Divine Allah put Indy back up 26-23 on an outside 3-point basket. Once again Ardrey Kell answered with a 3-pointer of its own making the score 26-26 with 5:28 left in the period.
At the 5:14 mark Jalen Hinton made a 3-point basket giving Indy a 29-26 lead. The Knights moved out to a four point lead 33-29 with 3:24 left in the half. Indy’s Divine Allah cut the Knights’ lead to one 33-32 on a baseline 3-pointer.
Ardrey Kell came fighting back and took a 40-34 lead with 1:24 left in the half. With 55 seconds showing on the clock, Jalen Hinton drained a 3-pointer to make the score 40-37. Then as the buzzer sounded Anthony Allen hit a basket cutting Ardrey Kell’s lead to one point 40-39 as the first half ended.
Indy’s De’Drick Givens started the second half by scoring in the paint giving the Patriots a 41-40 lead. Givens basket would be the last lead the Patriots would enjoy.
After Givens’ basket, the Knights went on a 6-0 run to take a 46-41 lead with 5:39 left in the third. At the 3:53 mark the Knights hit a 3-point shot and then scored on a Patriot turnover to take an eight point lead 51-43.
Omarion Bodrick scored on a baseline drive cutting the score to 51-45, only to have Ardrey Kell hit a basket to end the quarter with the Knights leading 53-45.
Ardrey Kell started the final period with a quick drive to the basket, and then scored on a Patriot turnover to take a 12-point lead 57-45.
Ardrey Kell maintained a nine point edge for most of the quarter. With 5:08 remaining in the game, Omarion Bodrick blocked a Knights shot. Anthony Allen came up with the loose ball and drove in for the layup cutting the Knights’ lead to seven 59-52. Ardrey Kell scored with 4:40 remaining to make the score 61-52.
With 4:16 left to play, Indy went on a 7-0 run. Nygell Verdier scored, and a short time later he grabbed an offensive rebound and made the stick back cutting Ardrey Kell’s lead to five points 61-56. With 2:42 showing on the clock, Omarion Bodrick stole the ball in Ardrey Kell’s back court and drove the length of the floor to make the score 61-58.
At the 1:34 mark, Jalen Hinton went to the line shooting two shoots. Hinton made one of his two shots to make the score 61-59, but that was as close as the Patriots would come to re-taking the lead.
With 36.5 seconds left to play, the referees called Nygell Verdier for a charge that gave the Knights the ball.
With time running out, the Knights were happy just holding the ball which caused Indy to foul. The Knights made three free throws which were enough to give them the win 64-59.
Nygell Verdier led the Patriots with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocked shots. Anthony Allen added 13 points. He had 2 rebounds and 3 assists.  Jalen Hinton scored 9 points and grabbed 2 rebounds. He also had 2 steals and 2 assists. Divine Allah added 6 points and pulled down 2 rebounds. Omarion Bodrick scored 4 points, had 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 5 blocked shots. De’Drick Givens added 4 points and pulled down 4 rebounds. He also had 1 assist and 1 steal.  Camren Little added 3 points. Tachai Miller scored 2 points with 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 1 steal.
Indy falls to 2-4 on the season. The Patriots will open conference play on December 13. The Patriots will travel to Harrisburg where they will take on the 4-1 Hickory Ridge Ragin’ Bulls.
