(Theresa Proudfit Photo) Florence freshman Isabella Milan drives works past Hurley’s Nicole DiGiorgio during Monday night’s varsity basketball game.

FLORENCE, Wis. — With three players in double figures, a swarming full-court press and a deep bench, Hurley overwhelmed a young Florence Ladycats girls basketball team 77-31 Monday night in non-conference girls basketball.

The Lady Northstars got off to a strong start with a 12-0 lead before Florence freshman Isabella Milan, who led all scorers with 20 points, got the Ladycats on the scoreboard with a free throw. Hurley’s full court pressure had Florence reeling for the first seven minutes of the game.

Hurley head coach Jim Kivisto took off the full court pressure, then Florence began turning the ball over in their half court offensive sets.

“We’ll be a work in progress, probably for most of the season,” said Florence head coach Brad Perry. “We had first game jitters tonight as well, playing against such an experienced team like Hurley.”

The Northstars led 22-4 before Florence made their first basket from the field — freshman Victoria Peterson’s field goal from the low post. Florence managed to get some points out of their offensive sets late in the first half, but Hurley led 35-16 at the intermission.

Hurley’s DiGiorgio sisters, Melissa and Nicole, combined for 14 first-half points on their way to each scoring a team-high 12 points on the evening. Kylee Hewitt chipped in 10 points, with every player in the score book except one scoring for the Northstars.

“We only had one senior on our roster last year, and we had everyone else come back for this season,” Kivisto said.

The deep roster and bench for the Northstars made a huge difference.

“I was able to play the girls in shifts in the second half, five in and then five out. Our scoring was very balanced as well,” Kivisto said.

Last season, Hurley went 16-0 in the Indianhead Conference, which is all Wisconsin teams, along with Ironwood.

“They’re a solid team, we knew coming ino the game that they were a better team and very athletic,” Perry said. “I wanted the girls to play hard tonight, and they did.”

Hurley pushed the tempo of their offense in the second half, which developed into some quick scores either off of the fast break, but also off of first passes in sets. In the beginning of the first half, the majority of the Northstars’ points came off of Florence’s turnovers.

Perry also alluded to the depth the Northstars have.

“They could run five in at a time, we couldn’t do that, we were worn out in the second half,” Perry said. “There were spurts in the game where I thought the girls did some things well. Also, we only have one starter back from last year, Lacey Enders.”

Enders, who chipped in eight points and six rebounds, is also the lone senior on the Ladycats’ roster.

Hurley used a 1-3-1 defense, as well as man-to-man when they weren’t using their full court press.

Florence ran the majority of their offense out of half-court sets throughout the game.

There was no JV contest, as the Ladycats do not field a team this season. Florence (0-1) travels to Laona-Wabeno on Friday to open up Northern Lakes Conference play.

Hurley 35 42 — 77

Florence 16 15 — 31

HURLEY: Courtney Corollo 9, Nuquist 2, Edyvean 8, Hewitt 10, Cayden Corollo 7, France 7, Kukowski 6, N. DiGiorgio 12, Melissa DiGiorgio 12, Bender 4; FT: 4-11; F: 18; Fouled Out: None; 3-point FG: Corollo.

FLORENCE: Milan 20, Enders 8, Peterson 2, Young 1. FT: 11-21; FG-Shooting: 8-35; 3-point FG: Milan (2), Enders (2); Rebounds: 22- Enders (6) F:7; Fouled Out: None.