FLORENCE — Behind 30 points from Riley Hixon, 23 in the second half, Florence defeated Elcho Thursday 65-34 in Northern Lakes Conference boys basketball.

“We played a sloppy first half of basketball,” said Florence head coach Bryan Bomberg. “We were flat, very passive and did not push the ball down the floor.”

The Bobcats (3-1, 2-1) opened up the second half with a 26-4 run, Bomberg noted, which was enough separation to put the game away.

Elcho was led in scoring by Chase Novak with 18 points, while Cole Kupfer added 10. Kaden Schuls contributed 10 points for Florence.

“Tonight was a solid win going into Christmas break, but we have lots to fix over the break,” Bomberg said.

The Bobcats are off until traveling to NLC foe Crandon on Jan. 3. In the JV game, Florence eked past Elcho 28-27.

Elcho 14 20 — 34

Florence 19 46 — 65

ELCHO: Wagner 1, Novak 18, Rea 3, Kupfer 10, Reichel 2. FT: 3-5. F: 13. 3-point FG: Rea. Fouled Out: None.

FLORENCE: Johnson 9, Boettcher 3, Paul Millan 2, Hixon 30, Patrick Milan 4, Schuls 10, Stoltz 7. FT: 6-13. F: 14. 3-point FG: Hixon (3), Johnson (2), Stoltz, Schuls. Fouled Out: Patrick Millan.