IOWA FALLS, IOWA -- Ellsworth used a second-half surge and some tough defense to snap a 7-game losing streak and dump Iowa Central, 68-49, at Dittmer Gym Saturday afternoon.  The win, ECC's first in nearly a month, came after they took a 27-24 halftime lead and expanded it thanks to a 41-25 advantage over the final 20 minutes.  It allowed the hosts to avenge an earlier 2-point loss at Iowa Central.

The Panthers made 11 3-pointers, their highest total since a Dec. 3 victory against Southwestern, with Chase Smith draining four and Tom Stanley three.  Iowa Central, on the other hand, really struggled from behind the arc, making only 3-of-24 attempts from distance.  The visitors hit only 30 percent of their field goal tries.

Jake Watson led the ECC scorers with 13 points, followed by Smith with 12 on the four 3s.  Stanley had 11 points in his reserve role.  Rich Ashu topped the rebound column with 7 and Melvin Medina-Ortiz dished out 5 assists.

Ellsworth hadn't won since knocking off Northeast CC on Jan. 15 and it put them at .500 (14-14) for the season.  They are down to just two regular season games left -- at home against NIACC next Wednesday and at Iowa Western Saturday.