By Marissa VanWingen, The Times-Citizen

Iowa Falls, IA – The second-seeded Ellsworth Community College (25-6) was within one or two possessions of the Trojans until the final period when the visitors pulled away for the 72-59 victory.

The sting of defeat still lingers, but once the dust settles and the Panther players and coaches have a chance to reflect, they will see a season that featured the most program wins since 1996 and the furthest playoff run in 19 years. 

"I've had a lot more losses personally, this will be the hardest basketball one because we did this… nobody believed that we could. To have those kids really believe in what we were trying to do in the short time that we had to do it, with no tradition, I hurt for those kids more than anything else," said ECC coach Justin Rees. "Those (seven) sophomores gave us everything, came here when nobody believed. I can't say thank you to those kids enough, and that's who I hurt for. Me, it doesn't matter. I really wanted it for them."

The hosts jumped out to an early lead, on top 8-2 with six points from Favour Anyaele. NIACC (25-6) then went on a run and took their first lead of the contest, 9-8. The two would trade advantages five more times in the first 10 minutes with the final Panther lead at 17-15 on a make and free throw by Anyaele. Karly Holm got the steal and was fouled to even the score at 17-all heading into the second quarter.

The second was just as tight as the first with the largest difference being a six-point NIACC lead (27-21) on one of their five three-pointers. Rosario Panadero would score four in a row to cut the difference to two. A three-ball from Ella Sharar knotted the game at 28-28, but ECC could not take the lead and trailed 34-31 at the break. The biggest problem would be foul trouble with five players already with two or more fouls next to their name.

The Trojans turned turnovers into points and started the third with a four-point flurry, forcing a timeout by Rees. The difference would swell to nine (44-35). Freshman Panadero would score a pair of free throws and then drain a triple to cut the deficit to four (44-40), but NIACC responded with another triple. The Panthers would be down by six, 49-43, heading into the final 10 minutes of the season.

ECC could never quite get closer than that, and with 6:15 left the Trojans went up by double figures for the first time in the game – 60-50 – and they would go on to win by 13.

NIACC was led by a game-high from Holm with 23. Keeley Steele (19) and Reggi Spotts (16) were also in double figures. The Panthers were paced by Panadero with 17. The freshman and Taylor Ross were named to the All-Tournament team.

ECC says goodbye to seven sophomores that were integral parts of this season's revitalization – Anyaele, KeyKey Jefferson, Ross, Laia Santanach, Nile Celaya, Bwanne Ciimban and Marin Agustsdottir.

For more photos from Times-Citizen: https://www.timescitizen.com/gallery/3-1-25-region-xi-b-semifinals-ecc-vs-iowa-lakes/collection_4e15c718-f6e8-11ef-81e4-7331f0ff1376.html#1

For more Times-Citizen coverage of Ellsworth athletics: https://www.timescitizen.com/sports/ecc/