Independence rally falls short against Beavers

The Independence boys basketball team made the game interesting, but couldn’t overcome a slow start against Augusta last week Monday.

The Indees trailed by 15 points early, but cut the lead to three multiple times in the second half. They ran out of gas down the stretch, however, as the Beavers prevailed, 56-47. 

The loss was the seventh straight for the Indees as they fell to 4-13 on the season (1-7 in Dairyland Conference play) before this Tuesday’s game at Blair-Taylor. They’re scheduled to host Alma/Pepin on Thursday before heading to Eleva-Strum on Friday. This coming Tuesday, they’re scheduled to go to New Auburn before hosting Eau Claire Immanuel Lutheran on Thursday. 

AUG 56 Independence 47

The Indees rallied, but couldn’t overcome a slow start.

The Beavers were aggressive to start the game as they went on a 20-5 run and took a 30-14 lead into halftime.

Independence got some momentum early in the second half with five straight points off of a steal and layup by Ben Pyka and three pointer by Tyler Kingsbury. They made it a 15-2 run to begin the half when Brandon Sylla knocked in a three pointer that made the score 32-29.

The Indees were back within two when Carlos Montalvo knocked down a three pointer, making the score 36-34, but they ran out of gas. The Beavers scored the next seven points before another three by Sylla made the score 43-37.

Augusta held on from there, attacking the basket and making free throws to clinch the win. 

Individual statistics were not reported to the Times.