IOWA FALLS, IOWA -- The ECC women's basketball team was unable to follow up its win on Monday against the Mount Mercy JV in a conference matchup with Iowa Lakes CC on Wednesday night at Dittmer Gym.  The Panthers battled for 40 minutes with the Lakers, but ended the game with just 4 players and dropped a 63-55 final to Iowa Lakes.  The Panthers sliced a double-digit deficit to 5 points in the final minute, but lost Ashjahnelle Wilson to fouls, meaning they had only the 4 players available in the last seconds.  Cailin Reimer was injured earlier for ECC and was unable to return, leaving a short roster even shorter.

Ellsworth got off to a good start, grabbing an 18-13 lead after the 1st period.  But they went cold in the 2nd stanza, hitting only one field goal and falling behind, 27-24, at intermission.  The Lakers build a double-figure margin after halftime, but the Panthers refused to go away and got as close as 5 points late in the contest.

Three ECC players combined for 49-of-55 points:  Key'Lajaha Jefferson Putman led the scoring with 20 points, Andrea Aragon Garcia had 17 and Wilson scored 12.

Ellsworth plays at Marshalltown CC on Saturday.