FORT DODGE, IOWA -- The Ellsworth men's basketball team withstood a late rally and held on for a 68-64 win against Dakota County Technical College Saturday afternoon in the Iowa Central CC Classic.  The victory improves the Panthers' season record to 7-2 and hands DCTC its first loss of the season.

Coming off a heartbreaking one-point loss to Central-Columbus the day before, Ellsworth started fast against DCTC, opening up a 17-point first-half lead and owning a 40-31 advantage at the break.  Dakota County cut a 15-point deficit with five minutes to play down to three points, but the Panthers preserved the win.

Richie Warren supplied an impressive double-double for the winners -- 19 points and 19 rebounds.  Nine of Warren's rebounds came on the offensive glass.  He got double-figure scoring help from Rich Ashu with 12 points and Ra'mir Scott with 10.  Freshman Jake Watson came off the bench to chip in seven points and six rebounds.  ECC limited Dakota County to 35.5 percent shooting from the field and 24.1 percent from 3-point range.

The Panthers head to Milwaukee Tuesday night to battle Bryant & Stratton College for the second time this month.  Ellsworth claimed a 72-68 victory in their season opener at Dittmer Gym in early November.  ECC then goes to Minnesota West on Sunday before returning home to take on Iowa Western Dec. 1.