The Badgers were using a mix of man to man defense, as well as their customary swarming full court press to begin the game.

“Our press worked well tonight, we hit it right when we did use it,” said Niagara head coach Karl Lamoreaux.

In the early going, both teams got off to a lethargic start in their half court offense. Before long, Niagara was ahead by double digits, as their press disrupted the young Ladycats.

“With our team being so young, I knew I had to tell the girls that they were going to press us and we had to be ready,” said Florence head coach Brad Perry. “We panic when we get pressed, our inexperienced team struggles with that.”

Florence’s Abigail Price (22) throws a pass to a teammate in the second half Thursday night at Niagara in a non-conference girls basketball game.

Throughout the game, Niagara was crashing the offensive glass. With several second chance and even third chance shots, they were able to extend their lead.

“Our rebounding offensively, was probably the best it’s been all season,” Lamoreaux said.

Florence did a decent job in their half court defense, keeping the ball away from Cretton and keeping her out of the paint. She got the majority of her points in transition.

“Our offensive rebounding tonight overall, was not good,” Perry said. “We gave them way too many second and third shots.

Ladycats senior Lacey Enders grabbed 13 rebounds, with 11 of them defensive rebounds.

In the second half, Niagara went cold from the floor for a stretch and Florence pecked away, getting to within nine points at two different points late in the game.

To ignite the tempo, Lamoreaux put the Badgers swarming press back on and Florence simply committed too many turnovers against an experienced and athletic team.

Niagara, who improves to 9-7 on the season, travels to Marinette-Oconto Conference foe Lena on Tuesday. The Badgers then return home for their final game of the regular season versus M&O opponent Oneida Nation.

“I am happy to beat our crosstown rivals,” Lamoreaux said. “This is always a game we want to win, but more importantly the girls are playing well at the end of the season.”

Florence, who falls to 5-11, returns to action this evening, as they travel to Northern Lakes Conference foe White Lake for game one of a varsity only girls and boys doubleheader at 5:45 p.m.

Florence then returns home to host NLC powerhouse Laona-Wabeno on Monday. They entertain non-conference for St. Thomas Aquinas on Thursday.

There was no JV game.

Florence 11 16 — 27

Niagara 22 20 — 42

FLORENCE: Seldon 1, Peterson 3, Millan 17, Enders 6; FT: 10-16; F: 13 3-point FG: Millan; Fouled Out: None; Rebounds: 35, Enders 13.

NIAGARA: Rock 9, Cretton 22, Borchardt 7, Pearson 2, Allred 2; FT: 4-10; F: 13; Fouled Out: None; 3-point FG: Rock, Borchardt.

(Matt McCarthy/Daily News photos)
Niagara’s Josie Rock (10) looks to dribble past Florence freshman Victoria Peterson (15). Below, Florence’s Abigail Price (22) throws a pass to a teammate in the second half Thursday night at Niagara in a non-conference girls basketball game.