ESTHERVILLE, IOWA -- The Ellsworth Panthers closed out the regular-season schedule with a trip to play Iowa Lakes on Saturday and the Lakers prevailed, 88-65.  

Iowa Lakes grabbed a 44-25 halftime lead and the Panthers played them on near-even terms in the 2nd half when they were outscored, 44-40.

Ellie Barrows topped three double-digit scorers for ECC with 14 points.  Keara Williams added 12 and Kevonda Primes had 10.  Three Panthers -- Victaeja Leavy, Halle Miller and Hydiyah Robinson -- each scored eight points.  Williams and Barrows tied for the team high with six rebounds apiece.

Ellsworth doesn't have long to get ready for the postseason.  Their first test in the Region XI-A tournament comes Tuesday night when they face a formidable foe in Kirkwood CC, rated No. 2 in NJCAA Division II, in Cedar Rapids.