FORT DODGE, IOWA -- The Ellsworth Panthers were in a good position for a possible ICCAC road victory on Saturday afternoon, leading Iowa Central by a dozen points in the second half.  But the Tritons ran off 14 unanswered points to climb back into the game, eventually took a two-point lead and held off ECC down the stretch for a 61-59 win.

The Panthers grabbed a 29-26 halftime advantage and widened it to 41-29 before the Iowa Central 14-0 blitz.  Once the Tritons went ahead, 48-46, ECC was unable to get even again, despite cutting the deficit to a single point on a Junior Bodden bucket in the final minute.  An Iowa Central free throw provided the final margin.

Free throws were a big factor in the game -- Iowa Central went to the line 27 times to 15 for the Panthers.  That difference offset Ellsworth advantages of 22-17 in field goals, 8-5 in 3-pointers, 42-30 in rebounds and 15-7 in assists. 

"We played a pretty solid game on the defensive end," said ECC head coach Troy Muilenburg, "as we held them to 33 percent from the field.  What hurt us was that we bailed them out with unnecessary fouls as they were 22-of-27 from the line to our 7-of-15 from the line for the game."

Muilenburg added, "Offensively, we struggled at times as Iowa Central turned us over 15 times to their 9.  Turnovers and the fouls that led to the free throws were the difference in the game."

Ra'mir Scott led three ECC (11-4, 2-2) double-digit scorers with 11 points.  Bodden and Tom Stanley had 10 each and both made a pair of 3s.

In a battle of two Iowa Valley Community College District foes Tuesday night, Ellsworth hosts Marshalltown CC at Dittmer Gym.  It will be the final game until January for the Panthers.