PJ Ngambi scored a career-high 36 points, Javonte Keck added 28 and the Iowa Central men snapped a three-game losing skid with a 98-83 victory over Northeast inside Hodges Fieldhouse Wednesday night.

Ngambi, one of the top scorers in the nation, hit 14 of 19 field goals and was 6-for-8 from the free throw line with two made 3-pointers. The freshman scored 22 in the second half to help the Tritons (4-3 overall, 4-3 in ICCAC) outscore the Hawks 55-38 over the final 20 minutes.

"We've still got a lot to learn about playing this game at the college level," Iowa Central head coach Chad Helle said. "But a win is a win, and having lost the last couple, it feels good to get one. This was a game we were supposed to win being ahead of them in the conference and at home.

"But we still have a long ways to go about understanding this game."

Northeast (1-6, 1-6) took an early lead and held a slim two-point advantage at the half. But the Tritons found their rhythm on the offensive end behind Ngambi.

Jayden Stephens added a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds while Uzo Dibiamaka scored 11 points, grabbed seven boards and dished out five assists. Ayris Abdelnassar had four points, eight rebounds and three assists.

For Northeast, Michael Anderson had a team-high 21 points with seven rebounds and seven assists.

Ngambi's single-game total is the 17th-most in Iowa Central history as he becomes just the 14th player to reach that mark.

The Tritons return to action this Saturday when they travel to 12th-ranked Indian Hills (6-1, 6-1). Tip is set for 3 p.m.

-By Dana Becker