IOWA FALLS, IOWA -- No. 7 Ellsworth took sole possession of 1st place in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference standings by using a superb 2nd-half performance to blow out 4th-rated DMACC, 102-83, at Dittmer Gym Saturday. The Panthers played a huge final 20 minutes, in which they outscored the Bears, 54-33, to win their 7th game in a row and 6th without a loss in the ICCAC. The Panthers are 14-2 overall.
Seven ECC players reached double-digits in scoring in a game in which the Panthers connected on 12-of-23 3-point attempts and made a season-high 40 field goals, shooting 51.9 percent, their 4th straight contest making at least 50 percent of their shots.
"We played with great passion and unselfishness (29 assists)," said ECC head coach Bryan Bender. "We also played with discipline by guarding and playing with maturity. We've had this date circled but had to wait patiently. We are very fortunate to be on the right side of a high quality win at home against a very good DMACC team. Today, we were just better. We lived up to our core values."
A fast-paced 1st half saw ECC take a 9-point lead before the Bears closed the half on a 9-0 run to grab a 50-48 advantage at the break. The score was tied at 58 early in the final half before the Panthers took control with a 10-0 spurt. From there, Ellsworth continued to assert itsef, growing the lead to as many as 30 points.
Jordan Glenn-Hawkins led the Panthers with 17 points and he added 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. Chimobi Ikegwuruka and Clinton Efinda each tallied 16, Arlandus Keyes had 15, Cameron Liggins 14, Jaron Crews 12 and Bessanty Saragba 10. Keyes dished out 6 assists and blocked 3 shots, Crews and Saragba each had 5 assists and Saragba recorded a double-double with 11 boards to go along with his 10 points.
The Panthers are undefeated in 7 home games and Bender said, "I'm very thankful for our crowd and my staff and players. It was a long week and they all were prepared and did their parts."
Next up is another ranked team on Wednesday, when ECC travels to take on No. 8 Iowa Lakes. "Our ultimate goal is to be present as much as possible, moment by moment, as we strive to reach our potential individually and as a team," the Ellsworth coach said."
