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ELLSWORTH - Defense propelled the Ellsworth Lancers to an easy victory over NLC rival Boyne Falls last Friday night, but head coach Mark Essenberg knows that with a tough slate of games ahead, it will take more than that to keep the Lancers' winning streak alive.

"Against Harbor Light (Wednesday) and Bellaire (Friday), we have to make sure we make some shots. We can't count on defense the whole time," he said.

Against the Loggers, Ellsworth came out firing and took a 23-2 lead at the end of the first quarter, and they extended that to 35-4 at the half. "I liked our intensity," Essenberg said. "Coming off the (holiday) break, we were real aggressive."

But, Essenberg is still worried about his team's shooting percentage. "We shot only 35 percent," he said. "I'd like to get that up 10 percent more."

Essenberg noted that the shots his team is taking aren't long balls, and they should be falling in more frequently.

"If we were shooting all threes, I'd be happy (with 35 percent)," he said. Emily Veenstra led Ellsworth with 16 points and 10 rebounds against Boyne Falls. Katelyn Seaney added 12 points and 13 rebounds, and Sarah Barraw put up 10 points and 4 rebounds.

The game against Harbor Light will be for control of second place in the Northern Lakes Conference, with the winner staying only one game back of Vanderbilt, who is undefeated so far in conference play.

"It's a big league game," Essenberg said. "We have to make sure we don't do any slipping (in the standings). We have to stay close to Vanderbilt."

Tip off is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. in Ellsworth tonight (Wednesday). Friday's matchup against Bellaire is also in Ellsworth, with tip off again at 7:15 p.m.