By Marissa VanWingen, The Times Citizen
The Ellsworth Community College women's basketball team is out to its best start in at least 14 seasons.
After winning the Dale Howard Classic and the Koningsmark Klassic by an average of 42 points, ECC is now 4-0.
The Panthers home opener on Friday night was an 81-51 win over Gogebic Community College. Then they took on Bay College and recorded a 79-64 victory.
ECC jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first frame with back-to-back buckets by Marin Agustsdottir in game two. It was not until three and a half minutes into the contest that the Norse scored their first points. The advantage continued to swell and on a bucket by Claudia Sanz the difference was 12 (22-10).
Midway through the second period Bay (1-3) went on a run and were within single digits for the first time since the opening minutes. The Panthers went on a 14-3 run to go up 47-28 at the break. The only thing ECC had to worry about was the foul situation. In the first half, three players already had three whistles blown against them.
The difference remained 19 throughout the third quarter as the Norse shot just 24 percent for the game. They were able to get several chances, nabbing 21 offensive rebounds. ECC would hold the double-digit lead throughout the rest of the contest.
Bay won the second half by four points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit they had created. Even with the Panthers having to sit some of their starters due to foul trouble, they came out with the win.
There would be a combined 49 fouls and 59 free throws. Leading the way at the line, Taylor Ross was 7 of 11 from the charity stripe. The sophomore finished the game with a double-double of 14 points and a game-high 16 rebounds. Favour Anyaele led the team with 17 points and added 10 rebounds. There were two others in double figures in the scoring column, 15 from Agustdottir and 11 by freshman Rosario Panandero.
The home tournament opened with the Panthers earning a 30-point victory over the Samsons (0-4). ECC used a big first quarter (24-8) to lead 44-20 at the break. Ella Sharar added to her 19.5 points per game with 22 points, six rebounds and four steals. Anyaele had her first double-double of the weekend with 15 points and rebounds. Sanz (12) and Agustsdottir (10) were also in double figures for the Panthers.
For more photos from the Dale Howard Classic, visit https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fwww.timescitizen.com%2fgallery%2f11-9-24-dale-howard-classic-w-m-basketball%2fcollection_9d5ff652-9f92-11ef-8ac7-63dae4ae2fa5.html%231&c=E,1,guhFtiTI_DNsn2OaPVZMccHOxDfg7pct9hvtKySymD5KxMbsL65xXSHls4JVXj-3GYYewlj2YDecDskcpsgt7gZqF_ZfdryDC1hqcC4Naks,&typo=1
Dale Howard Classic
Friday and Saturday at Iowa Falls
GCC: 8| 12| 18| 13 – 51
ECC: 24| 20| 22| 15 – 81
ECC Scoring: Ella Sharar 8 2-7 22; Favour Anyaele 7 1-2 15; Claudia Sanz 6 0-0 12; Marin Agustsdottir 4 1-2 10; Nile Celaya 4 0-0 9; Laia Santanach 3 0-0 7; Taylor Ross 2 2-2 6.
BC: 12| 16| 17| 19 – 64
ECC: 24| 23| 15| 17 – 79
ECC Scoring: Anyaele 7 3-4 17; Agustsdottir 5 5-6 15; Ross 3 7-11 14; Rosario Panadero 4 1-2 11; Sharar 1 6-6 8; Santanach 3 0-0 8; Sanz 2 0-0 4; Celaya 0 2-4 2.