DANVILLE, ILLINOIS -- The third-seeded Ellsworth CC Panthers advanced to the quarterfinals of the NJCAA Division II National Championship with a 76-58 decision over Monroe (NY) CC on Tuesday afternoon.  ECC, in its 4th national tournament trip but first in 38 years, has won its opening game at the tourney each time it has qualified, and the latest victory sets up a matchup between Ellsworth and Milwaukee Area Tech on Wednesday night at 8:00.  Milwaukee Area Tech is the No. 6 seed this year after winning its first national title last year.

The Panthers worked through some early tournament jitters to take the lead for good with 6:14 to go in the first half on a dunk by Bessanty Saragba.  That made it 21-19 after 7 ties to that point.  The Panthers scored 6 of the final 8 points of the opening period to grab a 30-25 lead at intermission.  Neither team scored in the final 1:45 of the half.  ECC opened up a double-digit lead 2 1/2 minutes into the final half and the lead was still 10 points before the Panthers closed the game with a 12-4 run over the last 3:49.  Ellsworth outscored 14-seed Monroe, 46-33, in the last 20 minutes.

Brennan Geoghegan made Ellsworth's only 3-pointer with 44 seconds to play.  They were 1-for-12 from behind the arc.  Themba Tshuma connected on a free throw for the final point.  The Panthers were just 13-for-21 at the line, but committed only 9 turnovers.

Cameron Liggins, whose layup started the scoring for the day, led the Panthers (28-7) with 22 points.  Chimobi Ikegwuruka, who missed all 3 of the Region XI postseason tournament games with a leg injury, returned to action and scored 16 points and grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds while coming off the bench.  Clinton Efinda added 10 points.  Saragba and Arlandus Keyes both handed out 4 assists.