By Marissa VanWingen

Sixth-ranked Ellsworth Community College, shot 35 percent from the floor while No. 15 Kirkwood Community College (21-7, 13-6) caught fire and hit nearly 58 percent of their baskets. That resulted in the Eagles recording an 85-65 victory.

From the start of the contest, ECC (24-4, 14-4) was out of sync. The visitors jumped out to an 11-2 lead that continued to swell. KCC made five threes in the first 20 minutes and nine in the game. The Panthers were cold and made three from beyond the arc in the first half and shot at a 43.5 percent clip for the game. Jonovan Wilkinson drained a triple to end the hosts dry spell, but it was short lived. With the offense clicking, the Eagles built a 22-7 advantage. ECC scored on back-to-back possessions just twice in the first half and trailed 44-27 at the break.

The hosts never led in the contest. In the second half, KCC pulled away to 26 point lead before Christian Johnson hit a long ball. Later, Jacob Khounsourath hit one of his three makes from deep and was fouled on a three-point try – making all his freebies – to cut the deficit to 64-48. The Eagles converted turnovers into points and recorded nine steals as the Panthers had 13 mishaps.

ECC would cut the deficit to 18 but could never get closer than that.

The biggest difference came from rebounding. KCC outrebounded the Panthers 40 to 26.

Four finished in double figures, led by Wilkinson with 16 points and Khounsourath with 14. Johnson (10) and Jayden Pretty (10) were the others.

For more photos from the game, visit: https://www.timescitizen.com/gallery/

ICCAC Basketball
Wednesday at Iowa Falls

KCC: 44| 41 – 85
ECC: 25| 40 – 65

ECC Scoring: Jonovan Wilkinson 5 2-2 16; Jacob Khounsourath 3 5-5 14; Christian Johnson 4 1-2 10; Jayden Pretty 3 3-4 10; Eesher Singh Sarai 3 0-0 7; Chase Low 1 2-3 4; Rav Randhawa 1 0-1 2; Dan Pembele 1 0-0 2.