By Marissa VanWingen

The first time Ellsworth Community College faced highly ranked Kirkwood Community College, the Eagles won by 26 points. Wednesday night, the Panthers were within five points of the visitors in the fourth stanza.

A three-pointer by Sofia Beltran made the difference 42-38, but seventh-ranked KCC kept their distance and outscored the hosts 7-3 to lead by double figures for the first time (51-41) and were able to hold on for the 54-43 final.

The entire first half was back and forth without much separation between the two. ECC (13-13, 9-11) was on top three times with a triple from Inma Martinez, a bucket and free throw by Asia Beale and then the last time, a pair of Beale freebies to make it 15-14 after the first quarter.

The Eagles (24-3, 18-2) came out in the second quarter taking the lead on a 7-0 run (21-15). The Panthers battled back and cut the difference to three on another triple from Martinez (23-20). With two minutes left before the break it was a two point game and then a steal and Kana Nagashima layup evened the score at 26-26.

The squads were even twice in the third stanza, the last time at 33-all on a Claudia Sanz Dorange steal and basket. Kirkwood went back down and made a triple as they scored seven unanswered to lead 40-33 after three.

Beale opened the fourth with a make and then Beltran's three-ball cut the deficit to four. The Eagles tallied five points in a row and turned a steal into a 47-38 lead that swelled to 10-points late in the contest.

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

ICCAC Basketball
Wednesday at Iowa Falls

KCC: 14| 12| 14| 14 – 54
ECC: 15| 11| 7| 10 – 43

ECC Scoring: Inma Martinez 4 3-4 13; Asia Beale 3 3-3 9; Claudia Sanz Dorange 3 2-2 8; Sofia Berraquero Beltran 2 0-0 6; Kana Nagashima 2 0-0 4; Yaiza Soriano Balaguer 1 1-2 3.