By Marissa VanWingen

Two top 10 teams put on a physical battle for fans inside Dittmer Gymnasium on Wednesday night. Hosting their rivals, No. 7 Iowa Central, fourth-ranked Ellsworth Community College had some holiday rust to knock off. The Panthers were unable to overcome a slow start and suffered their second league loss of the season by a 91-83 count.

It was all Tritons (14-1, 6-1) early on as Iowa Central scored the first 10 points of the game. It wasn't until three and a half minutes into the contest when the Panthers scored their first points. ECC battled back from the deficit and with six points in a row by Dan Pembele to tie the game at 22-all. Jonovan Wilkinson's basket gave the hosts their first lead (24-22).

The two squads went back and forth with three more even scores as the Tritons came out on top each time. After being at a 34-34 deadlock, the visitors went on a 10-6 run to lead 44-40 at the break.

The difference went back up to double figures in the second half with Iowa Central on top 63-52.

ECC (14-2, 5-2) will be without leading scorer, Alex Charlotin, who suffered a broken elbow in the final game before the holiday break. So, others had to step up. Four players reached double figures, including four players off the bench. CJ Johnson took control in the second half and with 7:21 left in the contest cut the deficit to one (69-68). But, the Panthers could not get a key stop on defense and did not lead in the second 20 minutes.

The Tritons pulled back out to an 11-point lead and would leave Iowa Falls knocking off number four by eight points.

Wilkinson led the hosts with 20 points, followed by Johnson's 20 and Pembele's 16.

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

ICCAC Basketball
Wednesday at Iowa Falls

ICCC: 44| 47 – 91
ECC: 40| 43 – 83

ECC Scoring: Jonovan Wilkinson 7 3-3 20; Christian Johnson 8 0-0 18; Dan Pembele 8 0-1 16; Jayden Pretty 7 0-0 15; Chase Low 3 5-7 12; Tanner Berggren 1 0-0 2.