PHELPS, Wis. — Phelps pulled away and cruised to an 81-61 win against Niagara on Tuesday.

The Badgers (6-13) hung within 10 points for most of the game until Phelps increased the lead to 20 with about two minutes remaining.

“We played well at times. We just neeed to be more consistent on the offensive side. We played real well at times and other times real inconsistent,” Niagara head coach Jim Hoogland said. “Defensively we need to play with a litlte more desire and intensity. A little more pride on the defensive side.”

Alex Hagerty led Niagara with 20 points. Ben Oratch had 11 rebounds and two points.

Phelps (19-3) clinched at least a share of the Northern Lakes Conference with the win. Crandon has a chance to share the NLC title with a win against Tomahawk on Friday.

“They’re a nice ball club. We stayed right with them till halftime,” Hoogland said. “We were only down nine at halftime. It was a clsoe game the first half. They slowly increased the lead in the second half.”

Niagara hosts St. Thomas Aquinas Academy at 6:45 p.m. Thursday without a JV game.

Niagara 32 29 — 61

Phelps 41 40 — 81

NIAGARA (61): Oratch 2, Kaldor 13, Alex Hagerty 20, Austin Hagerty 17, Antonissen 2, Tripp 4, DeJardin 3. FT: 2-12. F: 24 (Alex Hagerty fouled out). 3PT: Kaldor 4, Austin Hagerty 2, DeJardin 1. FG: 26-58. Rebounds: 37 (Oratch 11).

PHELPS (81): C. Gutierrez 6, Franzen 14, Gill 14, Rosner 8, T. Gutierrez 4, Kangas 7, Robbins 19, Bierman 9. FT: 18-27. F: 16. 3PT: C. Gutierrez 1, Rosner 2, Robbins 4. FG: 28-61. Rebounds: 32.

Bobcats bow

FLORENCE, Wis. — Jacob Christianson’s 23 points led a balanced attack as Laona-Wabeno downed Florence 73-61 in Northern Lakes Conference boys basketball Tuesday.

Christianson was among four Rebels scoring in double figures. Evan Beaster’s 21 points and 20 rebounds topped Florence. Riley Hixon had 19 points while Kaden Schuls had 14 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

“It was a back and forth game with a team that mirrored us very well,” said Florence head coach Bryan Bomberg. “We just did not get enough defensive stops.

“Evan Beaster played a solid game for us against some bigs inside.”

Florence hosts Marinette STAA on Monday.

The Rebels won the JV game.

Laona-Wabeno 36 37 — 73

Florence 23 38 — 61

LAONA-WABENO: Brauer 6, Christianson 23, Hawkins 2, Stefanski 18, Jesse Paisulski 10, Caley 10, Jakubiec 4. FT: 10-23. F: 12. 3PT: Christianson 2, Stefanski 4, Caley 1.

FLORENCE: Millan 2, Krueger 1, Schuls 14, Hixon 19, Beaster 21, Browning 4. FT: 4-7. F: 17. 3PT: Schuls 2, Hixon 3. FG: 26-79. Rebounds: 49 (Beaster 20).

Patriots edged

WHITE LAKE, Wis. — Goodman-Pembine gave up an eight-point lead with four minutes remaining in the game and bowed to White Lake 53-52 in Northern Lakes Conference boys basketball Tuesday.

The Patriots (7-13, 5-9) held a 29-26 lead at halftime.

GP’s Hagan Braaten had 16 points and eight rebounds. Evan Metras added 13 points and Wyatt Marcy had 11.

“This was our second conference loss in a row that really cost us in the (NLC) standings and (WIAA regional) seeding,” said GP head coach John Swick. “We are in a stretch were we just can’t stay disciplined enough to hold a late lead.

“This wasn’t a pretty game by any stretch but it was ours for the taking. Credit to White Lake for making the plays down the stretch that we couldn’t.”

Swick said his team, for the most part, executed well in the first half.

“Then we went through a stretch of turnovers and forced shots that opened the door for a White Lake comeback,” Swick said. “We have some work to do and that will begin tomorrow.”

The Patriots face Northeast Wisconsin Christian Homeschools Association on Tuesday, Feb. 20, at Pembine.