FORT DODGE, IOWA -- The Ellsworth men's basketball team saw an early-season four-game winning streak come to an end Friday when the Panthers were edged by No. 14-ranked Central-Columbus (Neb.), 67-66, in a tournament game hosted by Iowa Central CC.  The Panthers overcame a slow start to take a lead about midway through the second half and the contest was tight the rest of the way, before the Raiders pulled out the narrow victory.

ECC head coach Troy Muilenburg said his team recovered after not playing well in the opening half.  "Central CC is a good team and we cannot go out there and be all over the place like we were in the first half," Muilenburg said.  "We did not stick to our game plan on the defensive end and we gave up some easy post touches and drives to the basket that had inconsistent weakside rotation."

Muilenburg said the Panthers got back on the same page in the second half and, for the most part, played their game.  "We took the lead with over ten minutes to go and exchanged baskets with them pretty much the rest of the game.  We had plenty of chances to increase our lead but our focus on the defensive end was not there tonight."  He added, "It was a little disappointing to battle back like we did and not finish the job like we are capable of doing."

Ra'mir Scott had a season-best 23 points to pace the ECC scoring.  The freshman guard hit 8-of-12 shots from the field, 4-of-6 3s and 3-of-5 free throws and had 4 assists.  Richie Warren was the other Panther in double figures with 18 points.  He added 8 rebounds and 3 blocks.  Rich Ashu chipped in 9 points and 5 rebounds.

The Panthers trailed at intermission, 36-28, and then outscored the Raiders, 38-31, in the second half, only to come up a point short.

Ellsworth (6-2) is back in action Saturday at the classic, taking on Dakota County Technical College (Minn.) at 1 p.m.