(Matt McCarthy/Daily News photo) Goodman-Pembine senior Lamarr Lewis (35) leaps over Florence's Logan Schuls and Evan Johnson (1) in the first half of Tuesday nights Northern Lakes Conference game at Beecher-Dunbar-Pembine High School.

PEMBINE, Wis. — Freshman William Kelley ripped the nets for 27 points, draining eight three-pointers, as Florence defeated Northern Lakes Conference rival Goodman-Pembine 73-59 here Tuesday night.

Bobcats junior Patrick Millan recorded a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds, while point guard Evan Johnson chipped in 18 points as well.

The game was a tale of two different halves. In the first half, both teams went through cold spurts from the floor.

“Goodman-Pembine played very tough tonight, like they usually do,” said Florence head coach Bryan Bomberg. “I think we played very disciplined down the stretch, and executed on our plays, and that made the difference.”

Florence got out to an early 8-5 lead, with the Patriots creeping ahead 14-11 by pushing the tempo into their half-court offense.

G-P was grabbing rebound after rebound in the first half on both ends of the floor. They were getting good looks offensively, and also working the ball inside to Lamarr Lewis and Ryan Erickson.

“We didn’t rebound well tonight, or box out well either,” Bomberg said. “But in the second half, our shooting got a lot better.”

Junior Boone Larison paced the Patriots with 18 points. Lewis and Bryson McVay chipped in 11 points each.

The Patriots were also utilizing a 3/4-court press after made baskets, which somewhat disturbed the Bobcats offensively. G-P took a narrow 24-22 lead into the half.

To start the second half, Florence came out of the locker room like a ball of fire. They started on a 9-4 run to take a 31-28 lead at the 14:51 mark of the second half.

Over the next four minutes. G-P narrowed the Bobcats’ lead to 38-36. That’s when Kelley caught fire, draining three of his six second- half triples on three consecutive possessions.

However, the Patriots kept nipping and took a 44-43 lead at the 8:52 mark.

“Tonight was a tough game all around,” said Patriots head coach Joe Nutt. “I think it’s a mental thing with the kids playing in this gym.” G-P suffered their second loss of the season at Pembine, while they are undefeated inside the Laverne A. Zimmerman Sports Center in Goodman.

The remainder of the game belonged to the visiting Bobcats. Florence outworked the Patriots on both ends of the floor the remaining seven-plus minutes.

“They outplayed us tonight,” Nutt stated.

Florence, who avenged a 69-62 home loss to the Patriots on Dec. 10, improved to 11-4. The Bobcats return home for their third meeting of the season with NLC first place Laona-Wabeno Rebels on Friday night.

“Tonight was a great basketball game,” Bomberg sighed. “I am glad to be on the winning end of it.”

G-P, who started the season 6-0, falls to 11-3 on the season, and travels to non-conference rival Niagara Thursday night, before traveling to NLC opponent White Lake on Friday.

“I am hopeful we can finish off the season strong and be ready for the playoffs,” Nutt said.

The Bobcats and Patriots were placed in the same sectional by the WIAA for the upcoming postseason. Both coaches realize that with Tuesday night’s win, the Bobcats all but clinched the No. 1 seed in the six-team sectional.

There was no JV game.

Florence 22 51 — 73

Good-Pem 24 35 — 59

FLORENCE: DeMuri 7, Kelley 27, Johnson 18, Schuls 3, Millan 18; FT: 16-24; F: 13; 3-point FG: Kelley 8, Johnson 3; Rebounds: 34, Millan 14; Assists: 15. Johnson 7; Fouled Out: None.

G-P: Kessel 2, McVay 11, Ehlert 3, Erickson 9, Kalkofen 2, Larison 18, Wysocki 3, Lewis 11; FT: 2-4; F: 18; Fouled Out: McVay; 3-point FG: McVay 3, Elhert, Wysocki, Erickson, Larison.