(Matt McCarthy/Daily News photo) Niagara sophomore Josie Rock drives past Wausaukee’s McKenzie Tresdell (22) and Melody Schaal (4), in the second half Tuesday night at Wausaukee. Rock scored 20 points in the contest.

WAUSAUKEE, Wis. — With senior point guard Alyssa Cretton recording a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds, the Niagara Lady Badgers opened their 2020-21 campaign with an overwhelming 62-26 win over Wausaukee Tuesday night.

Sophomore Josie Rock added 20 points, with four from beyond the 3-point arc in the Marinette-Oconto Conference matchup.

The host Lady Rangers got on the scoreboard first from the charity stripe, taking a 1-0 lead. Then, before anyone could blink more than a half dozen times, Niagara was ahead 18-1. The Badgers’ full-court press had Wausaukee reeling, so much so that they didn’t get the ball across half court more often than not in the opening segment of the first half.

“We practiced our press in the seven practices we had since the start of the season,” said Niagara head coach Karl Lamoreaux. “Alyssa and Josie ran this style of press as starters last year. The other three girls who were in the starting lineup tonight, caught on to it pretty quickly.”

Niagara continued to apply pressure defensively. When Wausaukee did manage to get the ball to their end of the court, Niagara pushed the tempo of their own offense, with Cretton using great floor awareness and the other girls getting down the floor and getting in position to receive a pass or rebound.

The Rangers were switching up their defensive strategy, having different people guarding Cretton, which didn’t seem to halt the Badgers on the offensive end of the floor.

“Alyssa is a fantastic basketball player and all around athlete. There’s not many players that are physically gifted enough to stay with her,” said Lamoreaux.

With Rock’s long range shooting and other girls chipping in in other areas, Lamoreaux noted that he was pleased with his teams’ overall effort on the night, and sees potential in the team moving forward.

“I wasn’t sure what we’d have for numbers to start the season, or how many sophomores I would have to pull up, but for our first game, the girls showed me something tonight,” he said.

Junior Bailey Pearson chipped in 11 points for Niagara.

Wausaukee (0-1) was led in scoring by Sparrow Luccarini and Rachel Schlies, both with seven points apiece. There was no JV game on the evening, with the Rangers not fielding a team this season.

Niagara (1-0), returns home to host Coleman on Tuesday night.

Niagara 44 18 — 62

Wausaukee 14 12 — 26

NIAGARA: Rock 20, Cretton 23, Borchardt 2, Pearson 11, Allred 3, Maes 3; FT: 9-14; 3-point FG: Rock (4), Pearson, Allred, Maes; F: 13.

WAUSAUKEE: Frost 4, M. Schaal 4, Schlies 7, B. Schaal 3, Schroeder 1, Luccarini 7; FT 7-14; 3-point FG: B. Schaal; F: 14.