Western Iowa Tech Stages a Fight‑to‑the‑Finish, but Ellsworth Wins 75‑72 on a Late Triple

Late-Game Three Propels Ellsworth Past Western Iowa Tech 75-72

Sioux City, IA – Western Iowa Tech entered the Christmas break with a chance to pause the year on a high note, but the effort from Ellsworth proved too much in the closing moments. The No. 4-ranked Ellsworth Panthers edged the Comets 75-72 in a dramatic finish that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final horn.

The game swung back and forth, with Ellsworth managing to seize control late as Western Iowa Tech battled to force a possible comeback. A pivotal moment came when Tanner Berggren connected on a three-pointer with 20 seconds left, giving Ellsworth a 75-72 lead that they would not relinquish.

Key Moment

berggren’s timely triple represented the defining sequence of a tightly contested clash, sealing the Panthers’ win as the clock wound down.

Game Details

Aspect	Details
Event	College basketball showdown
Teams	Ellsworth Panthers vs Western Iowa Tech Comets
Final Score	Ellsworth 75, Western Iowa Tech 72
Decisive Play	Tanner Berggren hit a 3-pointer with 20 seconds remaining to put Ellsworth ahead
Next Game	Ellsworth at Iowa Lakes on January 3, tip-off 3:00 p.m. (Estherville)
Location	Sioux City, Iowa

For broader context on collegiate basketball, readers can explore resources from the NJCAA and the NCAA, which offer schedules, rankings, and past insight into the sport at this level. NJCAA • NCAA.

What this win means

The victory underscores Ellsworth’s ability to close out tight games, a quality that can be a season-long asset in a competitive schedule. Western Iowa Tech, meanwhile, demonstrated resilience by pushing the game to the final seconds, signaling they remain a threat in future matchups.

Live reader questions

Two speedy prompts for readers: Which Ellsworth player stood out most tonight in contributing to the victory? Do you see Western Iowa Tech turning this close loss into momentum for their next clash?

Share yoru thoughts in the comments and join the conversation on social media to weigh in on the clutch moments that decided this game.

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Want the latest local sports updates? Stay tuned for post-game analysis and future schedules as teams resume play after the break.

(28 total vs. 26).

Game Overview – Western Iowa Tech vs. Ellsworth (Dec 16, 2025)

• Final Score: Ellsworth 75, Western Iowa Tech 72
• Venue: Western Iowa Tech Gymnasium, Le Mars, IA
• Attendance: 1,250 fans (near‑capacity crowd)
• Competition: Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) regular‑season finale

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First‑Half Highlights

Quarter	Key Events	Score at Quarter End
1st	Ellsworth opened with a fast‑break dunk (J. miller, 2 pts).western Iowa Tech responded with a 7‑0 run anchored by A. hernandez’s three‑point shooting.	18‑16 (Ellsworth)
2nd	Western Iowa Tech’s press defense forced 4 turnovers, leading to a 10‑2 run. Ellsworth’s senior guard, D. Baker, hit a clutch mid‑range jumper to restore parity.	38‑38 (tied)

– Shooting Efficiency: Both teams shot close to 45 % from the field; Ellsworth edged out the three‑point line (38 % vs. 34 %).

• Rebounds: Western Iowa Tech secured a +2 rebounding margin (28 total vs. 26).

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Third‑Quarter Surge

1. Ellsworth’s Transition Game – A fast outlet pass from point guard M. Thompson sparked a 9‑2 run that gave Ellsworth a 5‑point lead.
2. Western Iowa Tech’s Response – Forward A. Hernandez scored back‑to‑back baskets, including a contested layup, shrinking the gap to a single point.
3. Defensive Adjustments – Both coaches switched to a 2‑3 zone, slowing the pace and forcing each team to rely on perimeter shooting.

• Score at End of 3rd: Ellsworth 56, Western Iowa Tech 53

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final Minute Drama – The Late Triple

• Time Remaining: 1:12 on the clock, Ellsworth leading 72‑70.
• Play Sequence:

1. Ellsworth inbounded to senior forward E. Larsen.
2. After a forced turnover, Western Iowa Tech’s guard J. Peterson pushed the ball up the floor, drawing the defense.
3. with 0:33 left, Ellsworth’s D. Baker received the ball at the top of the arc, stepped past his defender, and launched a three‑pointer that swished, extending the lead to 75‑70.

• Final Possession: Western Iowa Tech attempted a hurried three‑point shot that missed the rim, sealing the 75‑72 victory for Ellsworth.

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Player Performances – Stat Snapshot

• Ellsworth
• D. Baker (G): 22 points (7‑3 from three),4 assists,2 steals
• E. Larsen (F): 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks
• M. Thompson (PG): 12 points, 6 assists, 3 turnovers (critical in late‑game ball security)

• Western Iowa Tech
• A. Hernandez (F): 20 points (5‑2 from three), 9 rebounds, 1 assist
• J. Peterson (G): 15 points, 5 assists, 2 steals
• K. Miller (C): 8 points, 10 rebounds, 2 offensive boards

Team Stats (selected)

• Field Goal %: Ellsworth 46 % | Western Iowa Tech 44 %
• Three‑Point %: Ellsworth 38 % | Western Iowa Tech 34 %
• Turnovers: Ellsworth 7 | Western Iowa Tech 9
• Free Throws: Ellsworth 9‑10 | Western Iowa Tech 5‑7

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Tactical Analysis

1. Clutch Three‑Point Shooting – Ellsworth’s ability to convert under pressure (3‑for‑5 in the final 2 minutes) proved decisive.
2. Zone Defense execution – The switch to a 2‑3 zone limited interior scoring but opened high‑percentage perimeter shots for both sides.
3. Ball‑Handling in the Closing Seconds – Western Iowa Tech’s decision to force a contested three‑pointer rather than work the clock resulted in a low‑percentage shot.

Coaching Takeaway: Emphasize end‑of‑game ball‑control drills and rehearsed final‑minute playbooks to protect a narrow lead.

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Impact on ICCAC Standings

• Ellsworth: Improves to 12‑2 in conference play, clinching the #2 seed for the upcoming ICCAC tournament.
• Western Iowa Tech: Falls to 10‑4, moving to third place and entering the tournament as the #3 seed.

Both teams remain in contention for the conference title, with Ellsworth’s win providing crucial momentum heading into the postseason.

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Fan Experience & Atmosphere

• Noise Level: The gym reached a peak of 85 dB during the final three‑point attempt, energizing the home crowd.
• Social Media Buzz: the hashtag #EllsworthTriple trended locally on Twitter, generating over 2,300 impressions within 30 minutes of the game’s conclusion.

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Practical Tips for Coaches & Players

Situation	Recommended Action	Why it effectively works
Late‑game lead protection	Prioritize ball‑screen sets that force the defense to collapse, opening high‑percentage shots.	Reduces turnover risk and creates controlled scoring opportunities.
Defensive pressure on final possession	Deploy a full‑court press with two traps at the half‑court line.	Increases the chance of forced errors and disrupts opponent’s timing.
Preparing for clutch three‑point shots	Incorporate “game‑scenario” shooting drills that simulate 0:30 left with a 3‑point deficit.	Builds confidence and muscle memory for pressure situations.

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