Matt McCarthy/The Daily News Photo Niagara’s Jessica Oratch is swarmed by Crivitz defenders Riley Mueller (23), Bailey Rose-Bemis (20) and Morgan Van Lanen (50) in Friday’s M&O Conference game. Alyssa Cretton (11) of Niagara looks on.

NIAGARA, Wis. — The Crivitz Wolverines, beginning the game with a quick gut punch, dumped Niagara 67-34 in Marinette-Oconto Conference girls basketball action Friday.

In the blink of an eye, the Wolverines led 8-0 and never looked back. The Badgers struggled with turnovers throughout most of the game, especially in the first few minutes of the first half.

The Crivitz defenders were swarming Niagara’s Jessica Oratch in an attempt to take away her height advantage. With the Badgers only shooting 21% from the field, the pesky zone defense only made it more of an offensive struggle for Niagara.

Offensively, Crivitz’s ball movement was great the entire game, in addition to shooting 43% from the field. The Wolverines led 35-14 at halftime.

“We have one of these every year, a total stinker of a game like this,” said Niagara head coach Karl Lamoreaux. “Last year it was about four or five games into the season, Wausaukee beat us by 40.”

Lamoreaux was disappointed, but noted that he told his girls to be ready to get back after it at Sunday practice.

“In a basketball season, we hopefully never get too high on ourselves, but hopefully never as low as tonight. We’ll regroup.” Lamoreaux said.

Oratch and Cassie Gill each scored 11 points and grabbed 8 rebounds for the Badgers. Chloe Gruszynski led all scores with 18 points for Crivitz, with Emilee Johnson chipping in 12.

Niagara senior Jasmine Racine sat out the game due to injury, which will be evaluated on Monday, Lamoreaux noted.

Niagara won the JV game 20-17.

The Badgers (3-1 overall, 1-1 M&O) have a quick turnaround with another M&O Conference game on Monday at Gillett.

Crivitz 35 32 — 67

Niagara 14 20 — 34

CRIVITZ: Richler 5, Bourn 2, Bemis 6, Guns 8, Mueller 6, Spalding 2, Johnson 12, Gruszynski 18, Sellen 6, Van Lanen 2. FT: 7-13. F: 21. 3-point FG: Johnson (2).

NIAGARA: Oratch 11, Cretton 3, Payette 3, Pearson 1, Gill 11, Maki 4, Champange 1. FT: 12-29. F: 15. 3-point FG: Payette. FG Shooting 10-48. Rebounds: 36 (Gill 8, Oratch 8)