The Bearcats boys’ basketball team was back at home for just the second time this season, as they welcomed the Republic County Buffaloes Jan. 8. The Buffaloes came into the contest with a 6-2 record and ranked No. 10 in Class 2A.

Both teams started the scoring early as freshman Coulson Barta made the first field goal of the game from the left elbow for 3 points on the Bearcats’ first possession, while Republic County relied primarily on fast break layups and free throws.

Ellsworth continued to have the hot hand from behind the arc as they connected on five 3-pointers in the opening period, including four from Barta as the Bearcats doubled up the Buffaloes by a score of 22-11.

Ellsworth opened the second quarter on a 5-0 run with another 3 ball from Barta and a layup from senior Cooper McGowan, prompting Republic County to call their second timeout of the game with 6:35 left in the first half and the score 27-11 in favor of the Bearcats.

The turnover bug and shooting woes riddled Ellsworth following the timeout, as the Bearcats scored only 3 more points throughout the rest of the quarter. Fortunately for the Ellsworth offense, the Bearcat defense also kept Republic County in check as they only allowed 4 Buffalo points as Ellsworth led at halftime by a score of 30-15.

Following a slow start to the second half that saw Ellsworth score only 5 points in the first five minutes of the half, the Bearcats kicked it into gear, scoring 9 points in the final three minutes of the quarter and outscoring Republic County 14-10 to extend their lead to 44-25 going into the fourth quarter.

Republic County attempted to come back in the final frame, cutting their deficit down to as many as 8 points, but the Bearcats held on for the win as they beat the Buffaloes by a score of 53-42.

Barta led the Bearcats in scoring with a careerhigh 18 points, followed by McGowan with 14 points and senior Tucker Goss with 11.

With the win, Ellsworth raises its record to 2-5, including a 1-3 league record.

The Bearcats will travel to Beloit Jan. 13 before hosting Sacred Heart Jan. 16 in two league matchups.