Freshman Lee Higgins of Chicago, Ill., and sophomore Wali Parks of Iowa City combined for 44 points as the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) men's basketball team defeated Ellsworth Community College (ECC), 81-79, in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) opener for both teams January 13 at Iowa Falls.

Higgins scored a game-high 25 points and Parks added 19 as the Bears improved to 14-3 overall and 1-0 in the ICCAC with their fourth consecutive victory. DMACC trailed 34-28 at halftime, but used a 53-point second half to come away with the win. DMACC shot 45 percent in the win, hitting 25 of 56 field goal attempts, including 13-of-25 in the second half when they also made three of seven three-point attempts and were 24-of-26 from the free throw line. For the game, the Bears were 4-of-15 from three-point range and 27-of-31 from the free throw line.

Higgins made five of 10 shots from the field, including 4-of-6 from three-point range, and was 11-of-13 from the free throw line. Parks made five of 12 field goal attempts and drained all nine of his free throw attempts.

Freshman Andrew Madison of Grand Rapids, Mich., had 10 rebounds to lead DMACC to a 42-32 advantage on the boards. Freshman Elijah Ward of Joliet, Ill., had seven rebounds to go with eight points and a pair of blocked shots. Higgins, sophomore Nysir Marshburn of Philadelphia, Penn., and freshman Ray Miller of Davenport dished out two assists apiece in the win and Marshburn led the Bears in steals with two.

The DMACC men's basketball team is home to Iowa Lakes Community College (ILCC) on Jan. 17. Game time is 7:30 p.m. inside the DMACC gymnasium. ILCC is 10-6 overall and 0-1 in the ICCAC.