IOWA FALLS, IOWA -- Ellsworth used a pair of big first-half runs to open up a large halftime lead and the Panthers went on to wallop visiting Marshalltown CC, 84-64, on Sophomore Day at Dittmer Gym.  The Panthers posted a number of season-best performances, both individually and as a team, in snapping a 9-game losing skid.

The squad's 3 sophs -- Shamika Maria, Andrea Aragon Garcia and Ashjahnelle Wilson -- combined for 53 points.  Maria had her best scoring game of the season, leading ECC with 23 points and she pulled down 10 rebounds while connecting on 5-of-8 3-point tries.  Aragon Garcia tied her season-best with 21 points and was 3-of-5 from behind the arc.  Both Key'Lajaha Jefferson Putman and Wilson just missed a double-double as each scored 9 points and Jefferson Putman pulled down 13 rebounds and Wilson 10.  Ingrid Martinez Guillen was the other Ellsworth player in double figures with 14 points and she dished out 8 assists.

The Panthers ran off 15 straight points in the 1st period, 13 of them by Maria, and led 21-9 after the quarter.  A 16-0 run in the 2nd stanza helped ECC to a 42-22 halftime advantage.  They erupted for 24 points in the final quarter to clinch the win.

The 11 made 3s for ECC tied the most this year, and the 61 rebounds, 13 offensive rebounds and 20 assists were all season-highs.  Marshalltown shot only 26 percent from the field and attempted 48 3s.

The last regular-season game for Ellsworth is Wednesday at NIACC.