IOWA FALLS, IOWA -- A year ago, in Bryan Bender's first season as head coach, the Ellsworth Panthers took a 10-0 record to Kansas City Kansas CC and suffered their first loss of the season.  Tuesday night, at Dittmer Gym, ECC got a measure of revenge by taking down KCKCC, 104-99, Ellsworth's 3rd consecutive win to begin the 2023-24 season.

ECC opened up a 48-39 halftime lead and held off the visitors down the stretch, despite giving up 60 second-half points to KCK.  The Panthers shot 48 percent overall and, after struggling from behind the arc in their 2 victories last weekend, connected on 9-of-20 3-pointers and hit 32-of-47 free throws.  Ellsworth also did a good job taking care of the basketball with 11 turnovers.  They won the rebound battle, 42-37, with Bessanty Saragba pacing ECC on the glass with a dozen boards.  The Panthers grabbed 19 offensive rebounds.

Six Panthers reached double figures in scoring, led by Jaron Crews' 30 points.  Crews was 9-of-15 from the field, 4-of-6 in 3s and 8-of-10 at the line.  Clinton Efinda pumped in 18 points, Arlandus Keyes had 15, along with a pair of blocked shots, Cameron Liggins 12, and Jordan Glenn-Hawkins and Zeke Thompkins scored 11 apiece.  Liggins and Thompkins combined for their 23 points off the bench.

Ellsworth will host the Dale Howard Classic at Dittmer Gymnasium this weekend, taking on Macomb CC on Friday and Central Lakes (Minn.) College Saturday.