IOWA FALLS, IOWA -- Seven Ellsworth players reached double figures and the Panthers, ranked 7th in the nation in this week's NJCAA DII poll, rolled past Northeast (Neb.) CC, 106-72, in an ICCAC tilt at Dittmer Gym Wednesday night.  The Panthers still trail league-leading DMACC by one-half game after the Bears won at Kirkwood Wednesday.  DMACC is 14-2 in the conference and ECC is 14-3.  DMACC's remaining league contests are against Iowa Western and NIACC while Ellsworth, after a non-league game at home against Dakota County Tech, goes to Kirkwood next Wednesday.

The Panthers shot 51.3 percent from the field and connected on 9-of-14 3s and 17-of-23 foul shots.  They tied a season-high with their 29 assists on 40 made field goals, also tying a season-best in recording their 6th win in a row.  They have averaged 97.4 points over the last 5 games.

There were a couple of new names among the ECC scoring leaders -- Christopher Willis scored 11 points and Lamarana Diallo had 10.  Veljko Munitlak made his first start of the season and grabbed 8 rebounds.  Chimobi Ikegwuruka paced Ellsworth with 20 points and 9 rebounds.  Clinton Efinda had 15 points, Cameron Liggins and Jordan Glenn-Hawkins each scored 14 and Jaron Crews handed out 11 assists to augment his 12 points.

Ellsworth (23-5, 14-3) sprinted to a 58-31 halftime lead and posted its 6th sweep of a conference opponent this season.  The 23rd win for ECC is the most since the 2008-09 squad won 27 games.

This Saturday's home contest against Dakota County Tech is a makeup game.  The trip to Kirkwood to end the regular campaign is Feb. 28.