The top-ranked Ballard Bombers men's basketball team secured a dramatic 66-64 victory over Carroll in a thrilling Raccoon River Conference showdown at home.  Junior Easton Ersland played the hero, sinking a game-winning putback with just 2.2 seconds left to break a tie and preserve Ballard's undefeated season.

The game was a battle from the opening tip, with Carroll holding a slim 19-18 lead after the first quarter.  The Tigers extended their advantage in the second, outscoring Ballard 23-11 to take a commanding 42-29 lead into halftime.  However, the Bombers showed their resilience, rallying in the second half with an impressive defensive effort and balanced scoring.  Ballard outscored Carroll 19-17 in the third quarter to narrow the gap before delivering a dominant 18-5 run in the final frame to complete the comeback.

With the score tied in the final seconds, Ersland's clutch offensive rebound and putback sealed the win, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.  The victory improves Ballard's record to 8-0 overall and 7-0 in conference play, solidifying their place at the top of the RRC standings.

The Bombers will look to keep their momentum going when they travel to Winterset on Tuesday, January 14, for another RRC matchup.  Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM.

Photo Credit: Davidson Photography