IOWA FALLS, IOWA -- The Ellsworth women's basketball team was in position to snap its losing streak heading into the final quarter of Thursday's matchup with Marshalltown CC.  The Panthers took a 12-point lead into the final period, but were outscored 32-16 over the last 10 minutes and dropped an 84-80 contest to the Tigers.

ECC led throughout the first three quarters, holding leads of 22-9, 37-28 and 64-52 at the breaks.  They posted a season-high in points --  the 80 they scored were just two fewer than the total for the previous two games combined.  Ellsworth also established season-bests in 3-pointers, 3-point attempts and free throw attempts.  But they came up just short in their first of two games this season against Marshalltown.  The two squads will meet again in the regular-season finale next month.

Alyssa Civitak had her best game of the year, leading the ECC scoring with 24 points and making 6 threes.  Civitak has provided an offensive spark for the Panthers.  Thursday's game was her 5th time in six starts in double figures.  Victoria Parra's 17 points for Ellsworth were seven more than her season total coming into the game.  Both Civitak and Parra had three steals.  Teresa Paulsen and Autumn Shull scored 12 points apiece.  Halle Miller was the only starter not in double figures, but she contributed 9 rebounds and 6 assists.  Katie Winter blocked 4 shots.

Ellsworth will battle DMACC on the road in Boone on Saturday afternoon.