IOWA FALLS, IOWA -- A fourth-quarter comeback allowed the Ellsworth CC women's basketball team to garner its first win of the season Tuesday night.  The Panthers, who trailed 53-51 heading into the final 10 minutes, outscored the Graceland JV 21-15 to post a 72-68 victory.

The Panthers got a strong game from Marin Lind Augustsdottir, who scored 28 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field and 10-of-12 at the foul line.  Ellyse Ball added 21 points, going 8-of-17 from the floor and 4-of-5 at the stripe.  Ball also had 9 rebounds.  Contributing to the Panthers' initial victory of the 2023-24 campaign were Favour Nmecha Anyaele with 9 points and a team-high 14 rebounds and Fabiana Nieves Martinez with 5 assists and 3 steals.

The game was close throughout.  Graceland grabbed a 19-18 lead after one quarter, Ellsworth pulled ahead 39-33 at halftime, and Graceland regained the lead after 3 periods, 53-51.

ECC made 46 percent of its field goal tries and connected on 19-of-23 free throws.

The Panthers will play twice in their own Dale Howard Classic this weekend.  They'll face Highland (Ill.) CC on Friday afternoon and Palm Beach (Fla.) Saturday.