Chargers Suffer Two Road Losses in Weekend Matches

Chargers Fall to No. 8 Iowa Central 104-72 

The Edison State Community College men's basketball team faced its toughest test of the season on Friday, falling 104-72 to top-ranked Iowa Central Community College in Des Moines.

Iowa Central (4-0), the nation's No. 8 ranked NJCAA Division II program, showcased their championship pedigree with balanced scoring and relentless offensive execution, shooting 58.5% from the field and 41.2% from three-point range against the Chargers.

Curry Leads Chargers' Effort

Despite facing one of the premier programs in junior college basketball, Edison State competed hard and received solid contributions from several players.

Malcolm Curry paced the Chargers with 8 points on 3-of-12 shooting, including 2-of-7 from three-point range. Curry also added two rebounds, two assists, and three steals in 31 minutes against the Tritons' pressure defense.

Cashawn Ingram contributed 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting and went 4-of-7 from the free-throw line, attacking the basket throughout the contest.

Jagger Hutchins provided an offensive spark off the bench, scoring 12 points on an efficient 4-of-4 shooting performance, all from three-point range. Hutchins' hot hand kept Edison State competitive during stretches of the game.

Darian Leslie added 10 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 29 minutes, while Frank Lathem battled inside for nine points and six rebounds, including four on the offensive glass.

Facing Elite Competition

Iowa Central's depth and talent were on full display, as they placed seven players in the scoring column with four reaching double figures. Jordan Cain led the Tritons with 21 points, while Aleix Sempere added 17 points and eight rebounds. Tashun Pender contributed 14 points and eight rebounds, and CJ Mitchell chipped in 12 points.

The Tritons' offensive efficiency proved overwhelming, as they shot 58.5% from the field (38-of-65) and connected on 14-of-34 three-pointers. Iowa Central also dominated the glass, out rebounding Edison State 46-24, including a 14-6 advantage on the offensive boards.

Competitive First Half

Edison State showed resilience in the first half, trailing 53-31 at the break after trading baskets with the top-ranked Tritons early. The Chargers shot 41.4% from three-point range (12-of-29) for the game, demonstrating their ability to stretch the floor against elite competition.

However, Iowa Central's second-half surge proved decisive, as they outscored the Chargers 51-41 after intermission to pull away for the 32-point victory.

Learning Experience

While the final score was lopsided, playing against the nation's top-ranked team provides valuable experience for a young Edison State squad. The Chargers competed hard for 40 minutes and showed flashes of their potential against championship-caliber competition.

Edison State's 12 three-pointers and ability to push the tempo at times demonstrated the offensive weapons they possess, though turnovers (21) and the significant rebounding deficit (-22) highlighted areas needing improvement.

Game Notes

• Edison State falls to 3-2 on the season
• Faced No. 8 ranked Iowa Central (NJCAA Division II)
• Jagger Hutchins went perfect 4-4 from three-point range
• Chargers shot 41.4% from beyond the arc (12-29)
• Iowa Central out rebounded Edison State 46-24

Chargers Fall to No. 5 DMACC 85-76 

The Chargers then fell to 3-3 on the season following an 85-76 loss to the No. 5 team in the nation, Des Moines Area Community College, on Saturday in Ames, Iowa.

DMACC (6-0) remained undefeated with a balanced attack and clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch, outscoring the Chargers 45-44 in the second half to secure the nine-point victory.

Curry, Lathem Lead Offensive Effort

Despite the loss, Edison State received outstanding individual performances from its frontcourt duo.

Frank Lathem led all Chargers with 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting while dominating the glass with 12 rebounds, including nine offensive boards. Lathem's relentless work on the offensive glass created numerous second-chance opportunities and kept Edison State competitive throughout the contest.

Malcolm Curry added 18 points while going 11-of-12 from the free-throw line. Curry also contributed three rebounds, three assists, and two steals in a team-high 40 minutes of action, providing steady leadership against the Bears' pressure.

Tyler Wyles provided a spark off the bench with nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from three-point range. Wyles' hot hand kept the Chargers within striking distance during key stretches.

Cashawn Ingram chipped in six points and two rebounds, while Sir Cox added 10 points on efficient 3-of-6 shooting, including 2-of-2 from beyond the arc.

Close First Half

Edison State trailed just 40-32 at halftime, staying within striking distance through solid shooting and Lathem's dominance on the offensive glass. The Chargers shot 41.4% from the field for the game and an impressive 53.8% from three-point range (7-of-13), demonstrating their ability to stretch the floor.

However, DMACC's depth and free-throw shooting proved decisive in the second half. The Bears converted 25-of-32 free throws (78.1%) for the game, including numerous crucial makes down the stretch to preserve their lead.

DMACC's Balanced Attack

The undefeated Bears received 16 points from Brent Taylor, who also grabbed four rebounds and dished out three assists. Jayden Jones added 15 points, including three three-pointers, while Rylan Smith contributed 15 points off the bench.

DMACC's ability to get to the free-throw line proved critical, as they attempted 32 free throws compared to Edison State's 29. The Bears also held a 41-35 rebounding advantage despite Lathem's dominant performance on the offensive glass.

Turning Point

After keeping the game close throughout, Edison State couldn't overcome DMACC's second-half surge. The Bears' 45-point second half, fueled by attacking the basket and getting to the free-throw line, created separation that the Chargers couldn't close despite valiant efforts.

Edison State's 24 turnovers proved costly, as DMACC converted those mistakes into transition opportunities and easy baskets.

Road Trip Wrap-Up

The loss concludes a challenging two-game road swing through Iowa, where the Chargers faced two quality opponents in Iowa Central (#1 ranked) and the undefeated DMACC. The experience gained playing tough competition on the road will serve Edison State well as they return home.

Up Next

The Chargers hit the road again to face Clark State in OCCAC play on Wednesday, November 19, at 7:30 p.m.

Game Notes

• Edison State falls to 3-3 on the season
• Frank Lathem recorded double-double (19 points, 12 rebounds)
• Malcolm Curry went 11-of-12 from free-throw line (91.7%)
• Tyler Wyles shot 3-of-4 from three-point range off bench
• Chargers shot 53.8% from three-point range (7-of-13)