GROTON – Aberdeen Roncalli sandwiched a 17-0 run between a pair of bookend Groton buckets to take a 19-4 lead at the end of the opening quarter of play Tuesday night and never looked back, as the Cavaliers fought their way to a 38-26 Northeast Conference girls’ basketball victory.

Roncalli hit four threes and forced five turnovers in that opening surge, which opened up space for the Cavaliers to operate the rest of the way.

“First half, I thought we played really well,” said Roncalli coach Derek Larson. 

Larson credited his team’s defense for the ability to build that early lead, which proved insurmountable for the host Tigers.

“I thought we did a good job with our full court, making things difficult for them,” he said. “I don’t think they’ve been full-courted this year, or if they have, it’s been very limited. It was good to get out and get a good lead.”

Ava Hanson had two threes and a 3-point play in that opening quarter and scored all 12 of her points in the first half. Rylie Voeller also had seven of her 10 total points in the first half.

“We knew points would be at a premium,” Larson said. “Obviously the first half, we shot it really well. … The second half was probably more realistic of what to expect.”

After building a 20-plus-point lead in the opening half, the second half saw both teams struggle to put points on the board. It was midway through the third quarter before either squad found a way into the scoring column. The Cavaliers were also 0-for-7 shooting in the fourth quarter.

“They made a run late and cut it to 10 or 12, but we had a big enough lead in the first half to coast in the second half a little bit,” Larson said.

Groton was led by Kennedy Hansen with 13 points. Hansen led the fourth quarter charge for the Tigers, scoring eight of those 13 in the final stanza.

Rylee Dunker added six points and six rebounds for the Tigers, while Laila Roberts finished with four points off the bench.

Gabby Thomas came off the bench for Roncalli for six points.

Roncalli improved to 9-2 overall and will host Britton-Hecla on Friday.

Groton, 8-4 on the year, is home to face Webster on Thursday.

ABERDEEN RONCALLI (9-2): McKenna O’Keefe 1 0-0 2, Maddie Huber 0 3-4 3, Claire Crawford 1 0-0 3, Rylee Voeller 4 1-2 10, Ava Hanson 3 1-1 12, Gabby Thomas 2 1-2 6, Morgan Helms 0 2-2 2. Totals 12 8-11 38.

GROTON (8-4): Kennedy Hanson 5 0-0 13, Rylee Dunker 3 0-1 6, Taryn Traphagen 0 1-4 1, Laila Roberts 1 2-2 4, Chesney Weber 1 0-0 2. Totals 10 3-7 26.

Aberdeen Roncalli 19 27 34 38

Groton 4 9 13 26

3-point field goals – Crawford, Voeller, Hanson 3, Thomas; Hansen 3. Total fouls – Aberdeen Roncalli 12; Groton 15. Rebounds – Groton 28 (Jerica Locke 6, Dunker 6). Steals – Groton 8 (Dunker 4).