Iowa Falls, Iowa -- Ellsworth staged two second-half comebacks and eventually tied the score in the final minute of play, but Iowa Central got a big 3-pointer to take the lead and held off the Panthers for an 81-79 victory on Wednesday night at the Dittmer Gym.  ECC knotted the score at 76-all with 55 seconds left before the Tritons' Jaxon Smith nailed a three on the next possession and ICCC pulled out the win in the conference battle.

Ellsworth took an early 15-10 lead, playing on their home court for the first time this season, and then withstood an Iowa Central rally to grab a 36-33 lead at intermission.  The visitors, however, began a 19-0 run at the end of the first period and extended it into the second half to take a sizeable advantage.  ECC battled back once, and then again to forge the tie at 76-76 with just under a minute remaining.

Adam Jackson's game-high 34 points for the Panthers included six 3-point goals and the talented sophomore also had four assists and two steals.  Jackson was joined in double figures by Josh Kamara with 11.  Junior Bodden pulled down nine rebounds.

Still looking for their first win of the year, Ellsworth goes to West Burlington to meet Southeastern CC on Saturday.