By Marissa VanWingen, The Times Citizen
Ellsworth Community College had not won against NIACC in over 12 years and the margin hasn't even been close. The Trojans is 24-0 with an average of 38-point victories. That was all erased on Saturday in Dittmer Gymnasium.
The Panthers (7-1, 1-0) earned that noteworthy decision with an upset of 11th-ranked NIACC by a 76-72 final.
At the start of the fourth quarter, ECC trailed by four (50-46). Taylor Ross hit a turn around jumper to get within a single possession but the Panthers could not get closer than that. With less than seven minutes on the clock, the hosts were whistled for two technical fouls and Keeley Steele hit three of four to make it a nine-point contest.
ECC responded with a spark and stole the rock and Claudia Sanz had a lay up to start the hosts run. The Panthers went on an 8-2 run to cut the difference to one (61-60). Rosario Panadera knotted the score (66-all) for the first time since it was 42-42 in the third quarter. Each time the Panthers would even the mark, NIACC (7-2, 0-1) would take the lead back. A Ross jumper gave the hosts the 70-69 lead.
She would hit another basket to make it a three-point lead. With 30.4 seconds left on the clock, the Trojans were within one (72-71) when Panadero made one of two freebies. Laia Santanach made the first of two free throws in the waning seconds, but Ella Sharar got the rebound and the put back for the win.
Sharar finished with another double-double, tallying 24 points and 12 rebounds. Ross also had double digit points and boards with 20 and 10.
The hosts started out cold in the first quarter and went several minutes without scoring. With 2:50 left in the opening stanza, Marin Agustsdottir drained a three-pointer to cut the difference to 11-7. She then made one of two free throws and a pair of freebies by Ross made it a one-point game. ECC took their first lead of the game, 12-11, on a layup by Panadero and it would be even at 12-12 after the first 10 minutes.
It was a one-point advantage for the Panthers at the half. The hosts went on a run and led by as many as seven on a Santanach triple (26-19) and that was followed by a Sharar long-ball to make it a 10-point game. NIACC went on a run and it was a one point spread (33-32) at the break.
The Trojans continued their spree to take the lead in the third and were on top by four heading into the final 10 minutes of the game.
For more on ECC Athletics, visit https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2f%2f%2fwww.timescitizen.com%2fsports%2fecc%2f&c=E,1,HgLpFcC6mKL-c8MqUTzURhQItL0mxnzNlhoce1gDZiRnYmG4gvZadwrqWNoyb2JA11PWRl03nrmNOtlMkm-dI1aSasgcag1ViYM_WY04Lk175A,,&typo=1
ICCAC Basketball
Saturday at Iowa Falls
NIACC: 12| 20| 18| 22 – 72
ECC: 12| 21| 13| 30 – 76
ECC Scoring: Ella Sharar 9 3-4 24; Taylor Ross 9 2-2 20; Claudia Sanz 4 0-0 8; Marin Agustsdottir 3 1-2 8; Rosario Panadero 3 1-4 9; Laia Santanach 1 0-0 2; Nile Celaya 1 0-0 2.