In a surprising upset, eighth-seed Ellsworth Community College (ECC) defeated the top-seeded DMACC 86-69 in the NJCAA National Tournament Quarterfinals. This marked ECC's second appearance in the Final Four in three years, capitalizing on a strong start and maintaining a lead throughout the game. ECC's defense held DMACC to just 26% shooting in the first half, while the Panthers shot 43% over the game. A significant turning point included an 8-0 run in the first half that propelled ECC ahead, as they consistently answered DMACC鈥檚 attempts to close the gap.

By the Numbers
  • ECC shot 10 of 21 from three-point range (47.6%).
  • DMACC struggled, hitting only 29% of their shots across the game.
State of Play
  • ECC entered the match with a season record of 27-7, aiming for a national title.
  • DMACC, ranked second nationally, ended the contest with a 32-2 record for the season.
What's Next

ECC is set to continue its journey in the NJCAA tournament, with aspirations of claiming the national title. Coach Bryan Bender expressed confidence in the team's potential, emphasizing they have yet to reach their peak performance.

Bottom Line

This victory underscores ECC's determination and capability to compete at a high level, serving as a remarkable reminder of how unpredictable tournament play can be. The Panthers鈥� focused defense and timely scoring proved decisive, marking them as a force to be reckoned with as they advance toward the championship.