ELY - In an emotional end to the regular season and what Ely hopes is a positive springboard into the playoffs, the Wolves topped visiting Northeast Range 81-47 on Friday.

Ely raced to a 43-21 halftime lead, then cruised in the second half.

Carter Gaulke and Evan Omerza each scored 20 points for the Wolves, with Gaulke also distributing nine assists and Omerza adding eight steals, six rebounds and five assists.

Pat Vanderbeek netted 17 points and Adam McDonald scored 10.

The Wolves started the night with their five seniors, Evan Omerza, Zach Dean, Izaak Nosbisch, Braxton Casey and Josh Heiman, with Heiman able to take the floor for the opening tipoff after having missed the entire season due to injury.

Aaron Saari scored 23 points and Drake Pecha finished with 10 to lead Northeast Range.

Ely earned the No. 5 seed in its sub-section in the Section 7A tournament and is scheduled to play fourth-seeded Chisholm tonight in Hibbing. The winner will take on the winner between No. 8 Northeast Range and No. 1 North Woods in the section quarterfinals on Saturday in Duluth.

The semifinals are on Tuesday and the championship is on Friday, March 17, both in Duluth.