Turnovers tell tale in Bulldog win

INDEPENDENCE -- Independence's full-court press proved troublesome for Fort Scott High's boys in the third quarter of a Southeast Kansas League game here Tuesday night.

Independence went on to a 59-52 victory over the Tigers, breaking a seven-game losing streak against Fort Scott. In last year's only meeting, which was also held here, the Bulldogs suffered a 73-37 whipping.

The Tigers led most of the first half and were back in front, 34-33, after Drew Messer hit a three-point shot with around five minutes left in the third period.

But the Bulldogs used their pressure to force key turnovers that fueled a 9-0 run that put them ahead for good with just over a minute to go.

Fort Scott, which fell to 1-2 in the SEK and 3-3 overall, by no means gave up the fight, getting back within 42-40 by scoring the last six points of the third.

But the Bulldogs, 3-1 in the league and overall, got to work on extending their lead in the fourth quarter and had it up to 52-46 after San Schroeder made a pair of free throws with exactly three minutes to go.

The Tigers got back to within four once more on Jeff Johnson's basket but Indy managed to hold off a rally.

Fort Scott jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the first period as Alex Barner scored eight points. The 'Dogs came back to tie it but Messer scored three of the last five to put the Tigers back up 15-10 going into the second.

Barner continued his scoring frenzy in the second with his layup making it 25-17 with about four minutes to go.

Indy scored the next nine to take the lead but Barner score the last four of the half to take the Tigers into the locker room with a 29-26 advantage.

Barner scored 20 of his game-high 26 points and grabbed seven of his 13 rebounds in the first half. Between Indy's focus on him in the second half and its full-court press, the Bulldogs were able to contain the Tiger offense in the second half.

Independence forced 21 turnovers in the game while committing only 13 itself. The Bulldogs also made 10 of 17 second-half field goals while holding Fort Scott to nine of 22. This more than made up for the Tigers' 34-21 advantage on the boards.

Schroeder made 11 of 18 free throws and five of eight shots from the field on his way to leading Indy with 21 points. Dylan Craft added 11 points for the Bulldogs.

Tony Karleskint scored eight points and had nine rebounds for the Tigers. Johnson finished with eight points and eight rebounds.

The Tigers will go to Columbus Friday night for a Southeast Kansas League game. They'll host Chanute next Tuesday,

JUNIOR VARSITY -- Tyson Woodson scored 13 points in the Tigers' 48-39 win over Independence in the JV tilt. Kolby Allen added 10 points.

The difference was a 19-11 scoring advantage the Tigers posted in the second quarter.

FRESHMEN -- The Tiger freshmen team lost by a 59-54 count despite a fourth-quarter in which they outscored the Bulldogs 19-12.

Griffon Knopp led Fort Scott's attack with 22 points. Gabe Quick added 13.

Independence outscored the Tigers 17-6 in the second quarter.

NOTES -- According to information provided by Brian Thomas of the Independence Daily Reporter, Indy also snapped a seven-game home losing streak to the Tigers.

Indy's last win in the series came Jan. 29, 2000, at Fort Scott, a 68-55 decision. The Bulldogs' last home win in the series was Feb. 3, 1995, a 52-46 win....

Fort Scott had won its last five games at Losey Gymnasium by an average of 25 points....

FORT SCOTT: Leek 1-4 2-2 4, M.Karleskint 0-0 0-0 0, Clements 0-0 0-0 0, T.Karleskint 3-12 2-4 8, Floyd 0-0 0-1 0, Messer 2-3 1-2 6, Johnson 4-8 0-0 8, Allen 0-1 0-0 0, Barner 12-20 2-2 26. TOTALS: 22-48 7-11 52.

INDEPENDENCE : Schroeder 5-9 11-18 21, Webster 3-6 2-4 9, Craft 5-8 0-0 10, Cadel 2-6 0-0 5, Gross 2-5 2-4 6, Greenhaw 0-1 0-0 0, Speicher 0-1 0-0 0, Pasternak 1-2 0-0 2, Porter 1-4 2-2 4, Botts 1-1 0-0 2. TOTALS: 20-43 17-28 59.

Fort Scott.......... 15 14 11 12 -- 52

Independence........ 10 16 16 17 -- 59

Three-point field goals: Fort Scott 1-6 (Messer 1-2, T.Karleskint 0-1, Leek 0-3), Independence 2-7 (Cadel 1-2, Webster 1-3, Schroeder 0-1, Porter 0-1)

Total fouls: Fort Scott 18, Independence 14. Fouled out: none. Technical fouls: none.

Rebounds: Fort Scott 34 (Barner 13), Independence 21 (Schroeder 4. Gross 4). Assists: Fort Scott 9 (Leek 4), Independence 7 (Gross 2). Turnovers: Fort Scott 21, Independence 13. Steals: Fort Scott 4 (Barner 2), Independence 7 (Schroeder 2, Cadel 2). Blocked shots: Fort Scott 3 (T.Karleskint 3), Independence none.