With their victory, the Lady Badgers (12-13) advance to face Florence (19-4) in a regional semifinal matchup Friday in Florence.

Against Hurley, Niagara shot 42 free throws, connecting on 27 for 64%. Meanwhile, the Northstars (12-12) took just eight foul shots and made six.

Niagara junior Sydney Swanson led the parade to the foul line, shooting 14 of 22. Elesia Sweig knocked down 8 of 10 and Alivia Kleikamp shot 4 of 8.

The Lady Badgers built a 27-19 lead at halftime and outscored Hurley 33-29 in the second half.

Sydney Swanson (13) of Niagara drives to the basket Tuesday as Hurley's Lily Youngs (1) defends.

Swanson led all scorers with 23 points, while Kleikamp recorded 16 and Sweig finished with 14.

Olivia DiGiorgio paced the Northstars with 19 points and Alexandra Tolemy added 14.

HURLEY – Cane 1 0-0 2, K. Hewitt 1 2-4 4, M. Hewitt 1 0-0 3, DiGiorgio 7 2-2 19, Tolemy 6 2-2 14, Eder 3 0-0 6. Totals: 19 6-8 48. 3-point field goals: 4 (DiGiorgio 3, M. Hewitt).

NIAGARA – Sweig 2 8-10 14, Sawicki 1 1-2 4, Swanson 4 14-22 23, A. Kleikamp 6 4-8 16, Johnston 1 0-0 3. Totals: 14 27-42 60. 3-point field goals: 5 (Sweig 2, Sawicki, Swanson, Johnston).

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PREP SCORES

Tuesday, Feb. 24

GIRLS

Bessemer 73, Baraga 5

Forest Park 60, North Central 50

Gladstone 60, Gwinn 48

Hancock 38, Painesdale Jeffers 27

WIAA Playoffs

Regional First Round

Division 5

Central Wisconsin Christian 50, Green Bay N.E.W. Lutheran 15

Chequamegon 55, Gillett 41

Niagara 60, Hurley 48

Laona-Wabeno 54, Wausaukee 12

Suring 53, Mellen 38

Newman Catholic 47, Prentice 37

Three Lakes 65, St Thomas Aquinas 19

BOYS

Peshtigo 75, Crandon 62

Compliled by Daily News Sports correspondent Jerry DeRoche