REDFIELD – It was a scoring barrage for Aberdeen Roncalli on Friday night.

The Cavaliers used 13 three-pointers, including 12 in the first half, to open up a big lead and cruise to a 64-25 Northeast Conference boys’ basketball win over Redfield in the season opener for both teams.

“We shot very, very well and got out to a good start,” Roncalli coach Dan Gallagher said. “It was one of those things where we kind of lived by the three today. We know that’s not something we can rely on all the time, but when the ball’s going in, our shooters just got to keep shooting and they did just that.”

Roncalli scored the first 11 points of the contest, thanks, in part, to a trio of three-pointers from Maddox Miller. The Cavaliers opened a commanding 26-4 lead after the opening period.

Gallagher was pleased with what he saw from his team offensively.

“It was exactly what we’ve been prepping for,” Gallagher said. “We knew we were going to give our guys some freedom. We’ve got guys that can shoot, we’ve got guys that can play free, so we gave them that freedom and they really owned the opportunity. (They) really set the spark for what we want the season to be like offensively.”

While the Roncalli offense was pouring in baskets, the defense made things difficult for the Pheasants, who struggled to get quality shots for much of the night due to the Cavaliers’ aggressive defense.

“Overall, we switched screens really well, we defended the perimeter, we forced tough passes,” Gallagher said. “That kind of what we’re all about.”

Roncalli continued the scoring barrage in the second quarter, building a 51-9 halftime lead. In the second half, Redfield outscored Roncalli 16-13, something Gallagher said was due to a lack in defensive intensity.

“We always want to pride ourselves on our defensive intensity,” Gallagher said. “There were definitely some lacks in it. In the second half we gave up a little bit more than we would’ve liked, especially inside.”

Miller led Roncalli with 21 points including five three-pointers, while Keegan Stewart had 19 points and four three-pointers. Aiden Fisher contributed 15 points and finished with three three-pointers.

Tristen O’Daniel led Redfield with 13 points.

Redfield will host Deuel on Thursday, while Roncalli will host Mobridge-Pollock on Tuesday.

Gallagher said the win gives his team a boost moving forward.

“I think the biggest thing is it gives us a lot of confidence,” Gallagher said. “We know we can put the ball in the hoop. There’s going to be those days where we’re struggling to put it in. We’ve just got to have confidence that we’ve got great shooters and we’ve got great finishers.”

ABERDEEN RONCALLI (1-0): Maddox Miller 7 2-2 21, Caden Shelton 2 0-0 4, Keegan Stewart 7 1- 1 19, Aiden Fisher 6 0-0 15, Parker Grieben 1 0-0 2. 24 3-3 64.

REDFIELD (0-1): Ethan Falk 1 0-0 2, Tristen O’Daniel 3 6-10 13, Elijah Morrissette 0 0-2 0, Justin Ratigan 1 0-2 2, Micah Zastrow 1 0-0 3, Jacksan Rude 1 0-0 2, Grady Hulscher 1 0-0 3. Totals 8 6-14 25.

Aberdeen Roncalli 26 51 57 64

Redfield 4 9 16 25

3-point field goals – Miller 5, Stewart 4, Fisher 3; O’Daniel, Zastrow, Hulscher. Total fouls – Aberdeen Roncalli 12; Redfield 11.