Creston, Iowa -- To say that Adam Jackson played a big role in Ellsworth's first win of the season Saturday would be an understatement.  Jackson erupted for 39 points and the Panthers used the sophomore guard's career game to dispose of Southwestern CC, 73-55, for a very gratifying victory for ECC.

Jackson scored over half of the Panthers' points, making 13-of-20 field goal attempts, 7-of-12 shots from behind the arc and 6-of-7 free throws while playing 34 minutes.  He also snared four rebounds and had three steals.  Jackson got great support from freshman Tony Alexander, who tallied 20 points, hitting 8-of-13 field goal tries and 3-of-6 threes.  Alexander also played 34 minutes.  The duo of Jackson and Alexander were responsible for 59 of their team's 73 points.  Only five players scored for ECC.

The Panthers opened up a 30-24 lead at intermission, then outscored the Spartans, 43-31, in the final 20 minutes.

The field-goal shooting for Ellsworth was the best it's been all season:  they drained 47 percent of their shots and 46.7 percent of their 3-pointers.  The total of 14 made 3s was a season-high and the 10 turnovers committed were a season-low.  They also outrebounded SWCC, 35-32.

Southwestern was held to 41.8 percent shooting and connected on just 4-of-24 3s.  The 55 points they were held to by the ECC defense was the lowest total for the season, 12 fewer than the previous low.

The Panthers will look to make it back-to-back wins when they play at Kirkwood Wednesday night, before returning home to Dittmer Gymnasium to battle Southeastern CC on Saturday.

Photo Credit: Times Citizen.  For more visit http://www.timescitizen.com/sports/panther-men-earn-win-on-the-road-women-fall-to-swcc/article_eb5d5e70-6f04-11eb-9a55-1761e4d610bd.html