CRANDON, Wis. — Despite battling until the end, the Florence girls varsity basketball team dropped a Northern Lakes Conference game against the Cardinals, 65-45, on Thursday in Crandon, Wis.

“(We were) down big at halftime,” LadyCats head coach Kris Johnson said. “I’m proud of the way the girls competed at both ends of the floor in the second half.”

Florence (8-6, 2-2) struggled to get out of the gates against Crandon (12-3, 4-0) in the first half. CeCe Mills made two 3-pointers and freshman Kelsi Chrisman scored five points. However, the LadyCats went into the halftime break trailing 35-13.

Naomi Millan caught fire in the second half, sparking a Florence comeback. She scored 15 points in the frame, while Mills connected on two 3-pointers and Chrisman scored seven points.

However, the first-half deficit was too much for the LadyCats to overcome and they lost 65-45.

Millan led Florence with 15 points.

The LadyCats also received contributions from Kamdan Johnson (6 points), Mills (12 points) and Chrisman (12 points).

Florence returns home on Monday for a clash with Crivitz.

Report compiled by Daily News sports editor Sean Chase.