The Ellsworth Community College men's basketball team opened the season 4-1 including a close loss at home to North Central Missouri College and going 2-0 at the NIACC Classic in Mason City. Against the Pirates on Tuesday, ECC held an advantage until the final minutes when the visitors went on a 10-2 run to pick up the 84-75 decision. In the first half, ECC built a 45-36 lead with the help of four triples by Tony Eddy. NCMC went on a 9-0 run to open the second half and then the two went back and forth in the final minutes. Adam Jackson led the team with 25 points, Eddy had 20 and Josh Donaldson finished with 11.

The Panthers then traveled to the NIACC Classic over the weekend and picked up two wins. They defeated Quakerdale Prep 94-81 and Kansas City Kansas College 74-71. Against the Eagles, ECC built a 50-33 advantage at the break. Though the second half was closer, the Panthers still held on for a 14-point victory. Donaldson had a game-high 25 points. Jackson finished with a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds and Eddy added 17 points. In the win over the Blue Devils, the Panthers had balanced scoring with three in double digits. Eddy was six of 10 from the floor, including four three-pointers for a team-high 18 points. Jackson finished with 16 points, including four long balls and Donaldson had 15 points. The biggest difference between the two squads was triples. ECC was 40 percent from downtown with 13 three-pointers while KCKC was only two of 18.

For more on the games, go to http://www.timescitizen.com/sports/ecc/