By Marissa VanWingen
Ellsworth Community College shot 51.5 percent from the floor and drained 12 three-pointers versus NIACC on Thursday. Eleven different players scored for the Panthers with four in double-figures as the hosts recorded the 91-72 win inside Dittmer Gymnasium.
Fourth-ranked ECC (18-2, 9-2) took a little time to heat up and trailed the first four and a half minutes of the game. The two were tied twice before the hosts went on an 8-2 run. The Trojans would cut the deficit to two (19-17) before another Panther scoring spree started by a Jayden Pretty jumper. ECC scored 10 unanswered that was capped by a Tanner Berggren three-pointer. The lead swelled to 29-17 with just over midway through the first half. NIACC cut into the deficit and were within single digits, 46-38, at the half.
The Panthers continued to build on their advantage in the second 20 minutes to steadily pull away. With 12:17 left to go in the game, Will Taylor made a basket and free throw to push the lead to 64-49. The difference was 20 for the first time on a three-ball by Jacob Khounsourath (81-61). Later, the spread was its largest of the game at 22.
NIACC (12-8, 5-6) struggled to get anything going with their outside game, making just 14.3 percent from beyond the arc and shooting at a 39.4 clip for the contest.
Four ECC athletes finished in double-figures, led by Pretty with 21 points and eight rebounds. Berggren added 19 points and seven boards. Jonovan Wilkinson (11) and Rav Randhawa (10) were also in double figures.
The Panthers are currently in second place behind DMACC in the league – a game ahead of Iowa Western and Iowa Central.
For more on ECC Athletics, visit https://www.timescitizen.com/sports/ecc/
ICCAC Basketball
Thursday at Iowa Falls
NIACC: 38| 34 – 72
ECC: 46| 45 – 91
ECC Scoring: Jayden Pretty 9 2-3 21; Tanner Berggren 7 0-0 19; Jonovan Wilkinson 4 2-3 11; Rav Randhawa 4 0-1 10; Eesher Singh Sarai 4 0-0 8; Will Taylor 2 3-7 7; Jacob Khounsourath 2 0-0 6; Christian Johnson 1 0-0 3; Chase Low 0 2-4 2; Collins Ngondu 1 0-1 2; McKale McGonigal 1 0-2 2.