IOWA FALLS — The Iowa Central men scored a big Top-10 road victory over No. 4 Ellsworth here Wednesday night, 91-83.

Jordan Cain led the way for the sixth-ranked Tritons with 32 points, as they have started off 2026 with back-to-back wins over rated teams in the Panthers and No. 13 Iowa Western.

Along with Cain’s 32, Aleix Sempere scored 26 and Manny Lueth added 18 for Iowa Central (15-1 overall, 7-1 in ICCAC). Sempere had 12 rebounds and Cain 10, as Jalen Wynter scored nine and Dorian Pruitt six.

For Ellsworth, Jonovan Wilkinson had 20 points, Christian Johnson 18 and Dan Pembele 16.

“Another big time performance from our group,” ICCC head coach Mason Denholm said. “Once again, each guy contributed in their own way. Ellsworth is really good and a super physical team.

“Proud of our effort to meet that challenge. When we defend to our potential, we can be pretty tough, I like where this group is headed, we just need to continue to work.”

The Tritons built a four-point lead at the half thanks to 13 points from Cain and nine by both Sempere and Wynter. In the final 20 minutes, Cain and Sempere took control, scoring 36 points while grabbing 12 rebounds.

With an edge in rebounds, the Tritons were able to hold a plus-14 advantage in second-chance points, as Ellsworth was plus-10 on points in the paint.

These two teams will square off a second time in Fort Dodge on Jan. 28.

Iowa Central will step out of ICCAC play this Saturday, heading to Overland Park, Kan. to face No. 3 Johnson County. The game has been rescheduled twice due to inclement weather. They return home to host NIACC next Wednesday inside Hodges Fieldhouse.

IOWA CENTRAL 91, ELLSWORTH 83

Iowa Central — Manny Lueth 4-12 7-8 18, Dorian Pruitt 2-8 1-4 6, Jalen Wynter 3-10 0-1 9, Aleix Sempere 12-17 2-6 26, Jordan Cain 12-24 4-5 32 Carter Loney 0-0 0-0 0, Jon Roberts 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 33-71 14-26 91.

Ellsworth — Rav Randhawa 0-3 0-0 0, Eesher Singh Sarai 0-2 0-0 0, William Taylor 0-1 0-0 0, Jonovan Wilkinson 7-14 3-3 20, Tanner Berggren 1-2 0-0 2, Christian Johnson 8-13 0-0 18, Chase Low 3-11 5-7 12, Jayden Pretty 7-13 0-0 15, Dan Pembele 8-8 0-1 16, Jacob Khounsourath 0-2 0-0 0, Ryland Ubben 0-4 0-0 0. Totals: 34-73 8-11 83.

Halftime score: Iowa Central led 44-40. Three-point goals: Iowa Central 11-30 (Lueth 3-8, Pruitt 1-4, Wynter 3-10, Sempere 0-1, Cain 4-7), Ellsworth 7-23 (Randhawa 0-1, Sarai 0-1, Taylor 0-1, Wilkinson 3-6, Berggren 0-1, Johnson 2-4, Low 1-3, Pretty 1-3, Khounsourath 0-2, Ubben 0-1). Total rebounds: Iowa Central 43, Ellsworth 37. Assists: Iowa Central 6, Ellsworth 19. Steals: Iowa Central 3, Ellsworth 3. Blocked shots: Iowa Central 4, Ellsworth 2. Turnovers: Iowa Central 11, Ellsworth 8. Team fouls: Iowa Central 13, Ellsworth 21.