By Marissa VanWingen
Sixth-ranked Ellsworth Community College (24-5, 14-5) could not keep a hot start from flaming out versus No. 24 Iowa Western Community College and fell 88-81 with one game left before the Region XI Tournament.
The hosts scored the first 13 points of the game – starting with a Ryland Ubben layup and ending with a Jonovan Wilkinson triple. It was nearly four minutes into the contest when the Reivers scored their first basket. It remained a double digit Panther lead until a pair of Iowa Western (22-7, 12-7) free throws cut the lead to 21-13. Then with 7:37 left in the first half, one of the visitors six three-pointers rang the bottom of the nets and knotted the score for the first time at 27-27. The Reivers then took their first lead of the game (29-27) on a pair of free throws. The visitors went on an 8-0 run finally ended on a Tanner Berggren jumper. The two would be even again two more times, the final at 42-all heading into the second half.
The two were even twice in the second half with the final ECC advantage 54-53 on a Jayden Pretty basket. The last time the two were tied was 54-54 before Iowa Western made a run. The visitors went on a 12-2 over five minutes for their largest lead of the contest at 10 (66-56). The Panthers came storming back and with 4:32 left on the clock, Pretty cut the deficit to three and Jacob Khounsourath's basket made it 77-76 with four minutes left.
ECC could never get much needed defensive stop as the Reivers held their lead and extended the difference to five points (86-81) with just under a minute left in the game. Iowa Western made one of three free throws and the Panthers missed a three-ball as the Reivers left Iowa Falls with the victory.
Four of the five starters for Iowa Western were in double figures with two scoring 20 points or more. ECC had four in double digits as well, led by Will Taylor's double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Wilkinson added 19 and four assists. Berggren (14) and Pretty (12) were the others.
The regular season finale is Wednesday at second-ranked and ICCAC leaders, DMACC.
For more on ECC Athletics, visit https://www.timescitizen.com/sports/ecc/
ICCAC Basketball
Saturday at Iowa Falls
IWCC: 42| 46 – 88
ECC: 42| 39 – 81
ECC Scoring: Will Taylor 6 7-7 20; Jonovan Wilkinson 6 5-7 19; Tanner Berggren 4 3-4 14; Jayden Pretty 5 2-4 12; Jacob Khounsourath 2 2-2 7; Eesher Singh Sarai 1 2-2 4; Rav Randhawa 0 2-2 2; Ryland Ubben 1 0-0 2; Chase Low 0 1-2 1.