MILBANK – Aberdeen Roncalli jumped out to an early lead and pulled steadily away en route to a 57-41 Northeast Conference girls’ basketball victory Thursday night.

The win marked the third straight for the Cavaliers, who improved to 12-2 overall.

Roncalli coach Derek Larson said Thursday’s showing was encouraging since the Cavaliers were short starter Claire Crawford, who missed the game due to illness.

“Going in, we weren’t fully healthy,” Larson said. “I thought we had some kids step up big tonight.”

That included Rylee Voeller, who moved into the starting lineup in Crawford’s spot. Voeller took advantage, scoring a dozen points for the Cavaliers, one of four players in double figures.

Ava Hanson topped Roncalli with 14 points. Camryn Bain scored 11 points and Maddie Huber finished with 10.

While Milbank showed some full-court pressure, Larson said his team was able to handle it, plus get the post touches it needed for the win.

Equally as important, however, was Roncalli’s defensive presence.

“(Isabella) Anderson and (Tyra) Berry, their two guards, are probably averaging mid-teens,” Larson said. We held Anderson to seven, I think, and Berry had six. I thought we did a really good job on those two.”

Larson added his squad had a good showing on the defensive boards, as well, despite giving up some size in the post.

Claire Snaza led Milbank with 14 points, while Belle Pauli contributed nine.

Roncalli will need all phases of its game clicking when it meets Vermillion on Saturday as part of the Dak XII-NEC Clash. Vermillion is coming off an upset win over fourth-ranked Sioux Falls Christian on Thursday.

“Hopefully we can keep this trend up,” Larson said. “Vermillion is a good team. They’re going to be tough.”

Tipoff is set for 5 p.m. Saturday in Madison.

ABERDEEN RONCALLI (12-2): McKenna O’Keefe 0 1-2 1, Camryn Bain 4 0-0 11, Maddie Huber 3 0-2 10, Rylee Voeller 5 2-2 12, Ava Hanson 6 0-1 14, Gabby Thomas 2 3-4 7, Morgan Helms 1 0-0 2. Totals 22 6-11 57.

MILBANK (9-6): Siera Wenzl 1 0-2 3, Isabella Anderson 2 2-4 7, Tyra Berry 2 1-2 6, Claire Snaza 4 6-7 14, Avera Schuneman 0 2-2 2, Belle Pauli 4 1-3 9. Totals 13 12-20 41.

Aberdeen Roncalli 16 29 46 57

Milbank 9 21 32 41

3-point field goals – Bain (3), Huber (2), Hanson (2); Wenzl, Anderson, Berry. Fouls – Aberdeen Roncalli 18; Milbank 16.