MASON CITY, IOWA -- Ellsworth and NIACC wrapped up the regular-season slate on Wednesday night with a wild game.  The teams combined for 49 fouls and 59 free throw attempts as NIACC snapped a late tie and avenged an earlier loss to the Panthers with a 104-99 victory.  ECC had blasted NIACC, 108-72, back on Dec. 7 in Iowa Falls.  The Trojans won the rematch by nailing 6 free throws in the last 2 minutes.

ECC's Shawn Fulcher had a huge night with 40 points and he dished out 6 assists.  Also in double figures for the Panthers were Diondre Taylor with 16, Dior Davis and Jordan Glenn-Hawkins with 12 apiece and Saliou Seye with 10.  Bruce Kanno led on the glass with 10 rebounds.

Down 10 points in the 1st half, Ellsworth came back to lead 52-51 at intermission.  ECC was on top 75-68 in the 2nd period and had their last lead at 93-92 late after a Fulcher basket.  With the score knotted at 98-all, NIACC went ahead with a couple of free throws by Myles Tucker after a technical foul, and Tucker then added 4 more foul shots for the final margin.

Ellsworth was whistled for 32 fouls to 17 for NIACC and the Trojans piled up 41 free throw attempts to 18 for ECC.  It was the most points given up by the Panthers in a game this season.

ECC ends the regular season with a 21-9 record, 9-7 in the league.  They earned the #4 seed for the Region XI tournament which will be played in Estherville.  The Panthers go up against five-seed Iowa Central in the quarterfinals at 7:00 on Saturday night.