The Ellsworth Community College men's basketball team took on NIACC for the second time this season on Saturday, Feb. 13, defeating the Trojans 93-51.

ECC came out in dominating fashion with a 44-18 score at the end of the first half. The Panthers outscored NIACC in the second half 49-33 for a final score of 93-51.

Sophomore Yach Deng has had the hot hand for ECC lately, and he led the Panthers with 36 points on Saturday. 27 of Deng's points came in the first half of the game including 7 3-pointers. He was 8-18 from 3-point range and 5-7 from inside. Freshman Michael Evans was the next leading scorer with 10 points for ECC; Octavious O'Large led the Panthers with nine assists. 

"It was great to see Yach get it going early," commented ECC Head Men's Basketball Coach Troy Muilenburg. "The fact that his teammates continued to find him 3 after 3 on his way to 7 three's in the first half, made the game a lot more fun for everybody. As a coach the part that stood out the most about the game, was the defensive effort. It was as good as we have had all year."  

The Panthers shot 58% as a team and were 46% from 3-point range and 73% from the free throw line.

ECC will be on the road for the next two games, facing Southwestern Community College on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 pm and DMACC on Saturday, Feb. 20, at 3 pm. The Panthers will have their last regular season home game on Wednesday, Feb. 24, against Kirkwood Community College at 7:30 pm.

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Photo Caption: Yach Deng looks to go towards the basketball against NIACC with Octavious O'Large ready to assist.