IOWA FALLS, IOWA -- Sophomore Arlandus Keyes established a new career-best with 29 points and Ellsworth CC got its conference season off to a successful start with a 96-82 win at home against Iowa Central on Saturday.

Keyes, one of 4 Panthers who tallied at least 16 points, bettered his previous career-high point total of 20 by making 10-of-13 field goal tries, 5 3-pointers and all 4 of his free throws.  He did his damage in only 21 minutes of playing time.  Clinton Efinda added 17 points for the Panthers and he grabbed 7 rebounds.  Both Jaron Crews and Jordan Glenn-Hawkins poured in 16 points.  Crews dished out 7 assists and added 5 rebounds and Glenn-Hawkins put 7 rebounds and 4 steals with his point total.  Bessanty Saragba and reserve Clavance Alvares matched Efinda and Glenn-Hawkins with 7 rebounds.  Saragba just missed double digits with 9 points.  ECC got 87 of its 96 points from its starting five.  Zeke Thompkins had 7 of the bench total of 9 points. 

ECC led 47-39 at the halftime break and then put up 49 points in the final period.

The Panthers, now 8-2 overall, face a pair of road tests this week.  They'll visit Marshalltown CC Wednesday night and Western Iowa Tech Saturday afternoon.