Pittsburg boys basketball ended a seven-game losing streak with a 54-53 win Tuesday night over host Independence.

The Purple Dragons improved to 7-11 overall and 4-4 Southeast Kansas League with all seven of their victories this season away from home. They are 7-3 in away or neutral-site games and 0-8 at home.

Pittsburg rebounded from last Friday's 53-52 overtime homecoming heartbreaker against Coffeyville with a win over an opponent who defeated the Dragons 57-49 back in December.

"It sure feels good to get back in the win column, man," Pittsburg boys coach Jesse Moss said during his postgame broadcast interview. "Our guys have continued to battle. We're taking steps forward to prepare for sub-state. I think we're probably out of the SEK race right now. Man, I've got so much respect for Independence and their coaching staff. Coach (Brad) Smith is a great guy; he gave me some great advice when we played them at home. It means a lot to me to compete against him and his team. Man, back in the win column feels good.

"We still have yet to win a game at home. So, I'm starting a petition; if all you Pittsburg fans are listening, please sign it, no home games ever again."

Landyn Jessee provided a spark with nine points in the fourth quarter, all from beyond the arc.

"That kid is fighting a battle in his own head right now," Moss said. "I tell him all the time that if he doesn't shoot it, I don't know what I'm going to do. Take him on top of Pittsburg High School and just knock some sense into him. His dad gave me permission to say it."

Jamarcus Davis led Pittsburg with 16 and Danny Durden and Jessee finished with 13 and 10 points, respectively, for the Dragons.

Javen Colbert scored a game-high 27 points for Independence, but his potential game-winning shot rimmed out in the final seconds.

Pittsburg returns to action Friday night at home against Parsons. The Vikings are struggling this season at 1-16 and 0-8 SEK, including a 66-37 loss Jan. 6 at home against Pittsburg.

INDEPENDENCE GIRLS 44, PITTSBURG 32

The Dragon girls struggled to score with their worst scoring performance this season since a 29-point outing Dec. 13 against Wichita Trinity Academy.

McKenzie English led Pittsburg with 11 points. The Dragons fell to 11-8 and 5-3 SEK entering their home game Friday with Parsons.

Independence stayed unbeaten in SEK play at 8-0 and improved to 14-2 overall.

This sports reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/fund/support-local-journalism-project-fund/