CRESTON, IOWA -- Ellsworth earned the right to take on top-seeded DMACC on with a hard-fought 94-79 victory against Iowa Western Saturday.  ECC trailed by a point, 45-44, at the half, but used a 13-2 run in the 2nd half to take control and they beat the Reivers for the 3rd time this season.

The Panthers, 25-6 overall, scored the game's first 8 points, but had to battle Iowa Western throughout the first 30+ minutes until the stretch that gave them some breathing room.  Ellsworth used a big edge at the foul line to gain the win.  They made 23-of-32 to 9-of-18 for Iowa Western.  In addition, the Panthers had only 7 turnovers.  Jaron Crews enjoyed a strong game for ECC.  He was one of their 5 double-digit scorers, getting 15, making 6-of-8 field goal attempts and adding a team-best 10 rebounds and 3 steals.  Clinton Efinda led the squad with 18 points and he grabbed 8 boards.  Arlandus Keyes chipped in 16 points,  Cameron Liggins matched Crews's 15 and Bessanty Saragba scored 10.

After splitting their season series with each team winning on its home court, No. 6 Ellsworth and No. 4 DMACC will play for a spot in the postseason tournament finals when they clash in the semis at a neutral site at Southwestern CC  on Sunday night.