Indees lose big to Mustangs, close to Lancers

The Independence/Gilmanton boys basketball team was close to its first win of the season, but couldn’t execute down the stretch.

The Indees began the week with a 61-31 loss at Melrose-Mindoro on Thursday. Two days later, I/G was in the game up until the final whistle, but managed just one point in the final two minutes of a 64-58 road loss to Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran. 

The losses put I/G at 0-14 on the season and 0-11 in Dairyland Conference play. The team hosted Cochrane-Fountain City on Tuesday and will head to Whitehall on Friday this week. Next Monday, the Indees host Alma Center Lincoln in Gilmanton and will play at Eleva-Strum on Thursday. 

Mel-Min 61 I/G 31

The Indees were within striking distance at halftime, but couldn’t keep up with the Mustangs.

Mel-Min got off to a fast start and had a 22-6 lead with six minutes to play in the first half, but the Indees rallied. I/G went on a 13-5 run to pull within eight by halftime.

The Mustangs regained control early in the second half. The team went back ahead by double digits with two early three-pointers and led by 20 points with about 10 minutes left. 

Tyler Parr scored eight points to lead I/G.

I/G (field goals/attempts-free throws/attempts-rebounds-fouls-points) — Gibbs 0/5-2/2-0-0-2 Turner 0/4-2/2-3-3-2 N. Lopez 3/10-1/2-8-2-7 Parr 3/10-1/2-6-1-8 Schank 2/6-2/4-7-2-6 Pronschinske 0/0-0/0-1-1-0 Ignacio 2/7-0/0-5-1-6

ECIL 64 I/G 58

The Indees had the lead with two minutes to play, but the Lancers closed the game with an 8-1 run.

I/G led for a good chunk of the second half and was a head 56-54 after a Nery Lopez three-pointer with 2:30 remaining in the game. The Lancers tied the game with a basket on the next possession before a Luis Ignacio free throw put the Indees back ahead. 

ECI scored baskets on its next three possessions, while I/G would only manage a single free throw down the stretch. 

Statistics for the game were not tallied as of press time.