By Marissa VanWingen
Ellsworth Community College's Rav Randhawa drained a basket to make it 77-71 but the Wolfpack hit one of their 12 three-pointers to cut the deficit to three. The Panthers (12-0) then had to win the game on the line, going five of eight – including three from Jonovan Wilkinson – to hold on for the 82-74 victory and remain perfect on the year.
The first 20 minutes of the game had both squads trading leads back and forth. The largest difference was three points with less than five minutes to go before the break. Alex Charlotin cut the difference to one (27-26) and a Jayden Pretty basket gave the hosts the lead. Eesher Singh Sarai connected on an old fashioned three-point play and would end the half with a put back to give ECC the 36-32 advantage at the half.
The second half was much of the same as neither team created much separation. The final Madison (9-1) lead would be 61-59 before Charlotin would even the score and Randhawa's basket and free throw would extend the lead to three.
The two would be tied one more time at 69-all when Will Taylor's layup gave the Panthers the lead. ECC would go on top by six points before the long ball by the Wolfpack would make it a 77-74 spread with 1:09 left to go in the contest.
Despite making just two triples, the game was won at the charity stripe for the hosts. The Panthers were 22 of 35 while Madison had just six free throws and made two of them.
ECC also outrebounded the visitors by 24, with 54 boards. Taylor (12) and Singh Sarai (11) were both in double figures for boards.
Charlotin led the team with 18 points, followed by Singh Sarai with 16 and Pretty added 14 in the win.
For more on ECC Athletics, visit https://www.timescitizen.com/sports/ecc/
NJCAA Basketball
Saturday at Iowa Falls
MC: 32| 42 – 74
ECC: 36| 46 – 82
ECC Scoring: Alex Charlotin 6 6-13 18; Eesher Singh Sarai 5 6-7 16; Jayden Pretty 6 2-4 14; Will Taylor 4 1-2 9; Jonovan Wilkinson 2 4-6 9; Rav Randhawa 3 1-1 7; Tanner Berggren 2 0-0 5; Dan Pembele 0 2-2 2; Jacob Khounsourath 1 0-0 2.