By Marissa VanWingen, The Times Citizen
Despite a shaky game at times, seventh-ranked Ellsworth Community College was able to overcome mistakes and sloppy play to record a 100-71 win over William Penn JV on Tuesday.
"Right now, we have to be better in the details and care more about those details so we can execute mostly on the defensive end," said Panther coach Bryan Bender. "It's the defensive details of guarding the ball, being in the gaps, being in help, swinging back, matching up, talking. All the things that go into winning basketball. We are still learning those things, luckily we weren't playing a better opponent tonight where that stuff would hurt us in the win-loss column."
Early in the game, the Statesmen took the lead. With six and a half minutes off the clock, the Panthers had cut the deficit to one (19-18) on a Daniel Agu basket. William Penn went on a run and built a 27-20 advantage before Tre Burris's drive and bucket kickstarted the hosts. ECC then forced five turnovers and went on a 14-0 run to go on top 34-27. The difference would be 49-42 at the break.
The Panthers (4-1) went on several runs in the second half. They built the lead to double digits (63-50) on a jumper by Hubert Bayigamba and then capped the spree with a Tanner Berggren triple to make it 74-53.
ECC was also able to get nearly every player that was able to play, court time. In the final 10 minutes of the game, the Panthers outscored the visitors 26 to 11.
Of the 14 that played in the contest, 11 scored and six were in double figures. Four of the five starters led the way with Rav Randhawa tallying 15 points and seven assists. Bayigamba added 14 points. Coming off the bench, Berggren had 13 points. Eesher Singh Sarai (11), Burris (10) and Rollings Kamanda (10) were the others in double-digits.
"At the end of the day, some guys got some opportunity to play and we have a big weekend coming up. We're grateful to still be the No. 7 team in the country regardless of our loss last weekend," Bender said. "We have to keep trending upwards and keep getting better. I think that mostly comes in the details and caring about those details."
The Panthers travel to the Reiver Classic this weekend and play Southeast and Labette for another challenging tournament.
For more photos from the game, visit https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.timescitizen.com%2fgallery%2f11-12-24-ecc-vs-william-penn-jv-mbb%2fcollection_2fa2453a-a1cb-11ef-8522-cf1af6c158ab.html&c=E,1,5-RCv4ckSUYtB8EzNGbHnBRP35w4iF1gOl5qNMOyYndkVchfjMWa2F0yMwinCw6CPnYecQa4r-qJ3dy_40frd9jkl3YXOVd9NADkEctSb1D5XIyG9_LlsuN8z6Hd&typo=1
NJCAA Basketball
Tuesday at Iowa Falls
WP: 42| 29 – 71
ECC: 49| 51 – 100
ECC Scoring: Rav Randhawa 5 4-4 15; Hubert Bayigamba 4 4-5 14; Tanner Berggren 5 0-0 13; Eesher Singh Sarai 4 3-6 11; Tre Burris 4 2-2 10; Rollings Kamanda 5 0-0 10; Sam Hensley 4 0-0 8; Jonovan Wilkinson 2 2-2 6; Daniel Agu 3 0-0 6; Bene Martinkus 2 0-0 5; Themba Tshuma 0 2-2 2.
NJCAA Basketball
Tuesday at Iowa Falls
WP: 42| 29 – 71
ECC: 49| 51 – 100
ECC Scoring: Rav Randhawa 5 4-4 15; Hubert Bayigamba 4 4-5 14; Tanner Berggren 5 0-0 13; Eesher Singh Sarai 4 3-6 11; Tre Burris 4 2-2 10; Rollings Kamanda 5 0-0 10; Sam Hensley 4 0-0 8; Jonovan Wilkinson 2 2-2 6; Daniel Agu 3 0-0 6; Bene Martinkus 2 0-0 5; Themba Tshuma 0 2-2 2.