COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA -- The Ellsworth CC men's basketball team recovered from its 1st loss of the season by winning 2 games in a weekend tourney and, as a result, the Panthers were able to keep their spot in the weekly NJCAA DII national poll.  ECC defeated Hesston (Kans.) College on Friday, 92-74, then took care of Labette (Kans.) College, 63-50, Saturday afternoon.  Even though they suffered their initial loss last Tuesday at North Central Missouri, the Panthers dropped only one place in the poll, from 6th to 7th.

Ellsworth outgunned Hesston 55-41 over the final 20 minutes of their contest after leading 37-33 at intermission.  Jordan Glenn-Hawkins with 23 points led the ECC scoring.  Arlandus Keyes supplied 14 points and Clinton Efinda 13 to go along with a team-best 8 rebounds.  Veljko Munitlak made his 1st start of the season and scored 5 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.  Lamarana Diallo had 9 points and 8 boards off the bench.  Brennan Geoghegan scored 8 points and dished out 4 assists.

Efinda tied his season highs with 18 points and 10 rebounds, leading Ellsworth in both stats, in the Labette game.  Keyes pumped in 16 points and handed out 4 assists, and Jaron Crews had 6 assists.

ECC is one of 4 DII schools in Iowa rated in the Top 20.  DMACC is 5th, Kirkwood 12th and Iowa Lakes 15th.

The Panthers now have over a week off before putting their 7-and-1 record on the line when they play at Sauk Valley on Nov. 28.