GILLETT — After the dust settled on the first part of the Florence boys varsity basketball team’s 2024-25 slate, it returned to play on Monday with a trip to Gillett, Wis. for a non-conference clash with the Tigers.

The Bobcats started off slow and ultimately fell to Gillett, 68-59.

“(It) was a rough game coming off Christmas break shooting-wise,” Florence head coach Bryan Bomberg said. “I thought we boarded well and played hard in spurts. Jesse (DeBauch), hats off to him, got to the line and hit some tough jumpers. I think there were 30-some fouls called — the stoppages and silly mistakes are all costly. Hopefully we can watch the film and learn from this.”

Gillett’s Jesse DeBauch led all scorers in the contest with 29 points. He was 11 for 13 from the free throw line.

Although Florence ended up on the wrong side of this one it held a slim lead at the break, 34-31. Truth Setner scored nine points in the first half, while Carson Chrisman added eight and Caleb Baker pitched in nine. The Bobcats made three 3-pointers in the opening frame.

Florence’s 3-point shots weren’t falling in the second half and Gillett took advantage. DeBauch scored 19 points in the frame for the Tigers and they picked up the win.

Mason Koski led the Bobcats with nine points in the second half.

As a unit, Florence went 17 for 19 from the charity stripe while Gillett went 12 for 17.

Setner led the Bobcats with 15 points. He also recorded six assists, four rebounds and two steals.

Florence also received contributions form Koski (13 points, 14 rebounds, 3 steals), Bradly Steber (10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists), Chrisman (10 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal), Baker (9 points, 11 rebounds) and Carter Reed (2 points, 1 rebound).

The Bobcats are back in action on Jan. 14 for a Northern Lakes Conference clash with Three Lakes in Three Lakes, Wis.

Report compiled by Daily News sports editor Sean Chase.