Undefeated Vikings get 16th victory
MAPLE PARK -- Imposing a suffocating defense on Kaneland, Geneva Vikings remained undefeated here with a win over the host Knights on Tuesday night.
Geneva collected 18 steals, forced 24 turnovers and buried the Lady Knights 65-26 in a Western Sun Conference contest. The Vikings own a 16-0 mark overall and are 6-0 in league play.
After running out to a 14-0 advantage, Geneva forged a 32-15 lead at halftime. Then the Vikings snuffed out Kaneland, outscoring the hosts 20-4 in the third quarter.
"I was most impressed with our third quarter; I liked the way we came out," Geneva coach Gina Nolan said. "I think we went on a 15-1 run. I felt like the first half they were right there, making little runs. But I thought we put some good space between us at that point."
Taylor Whitley opened the second half with a bucket in the lane before Brianna Hurst made one of two free throws for Kaneland. Geneva notched the next 13 points. Kat Yelle converted an old-fashioned three-point play after a Whitley steal, and Whitley added two more steals on the Knights' next two possessions.
Whitley set up Emily Hinchman for a layup, then drew a foul on the fast break. Whitley sank both attempts for a 41-16 lead with 5:13 to play in the quarter and followed with an 8-footer in the paint. Lauren Wicinski and Kelsey Augustine closed the burst with a couple of put-backs.
"We came out in the second half and asserted ourselves," Wicinski said. "We were moving our feet and getting in passing lanes. We were definitely more intense."
Sara Rose ended Kaneland's drought with a three-point play, but the Vikings answered with a Hinchman 3-pointer and a 17-footer by Sammy Scofield for a 52-19 cushion heading into the fourth period. Kaneland was limited to single-digit scoring in each quarter, including a mere four field goals after halftime.
"We like to pressure the ball a lot and all the girls did a really good job of that tonight," said Hinchman, who garnered four steals.
"We were anticipating really well," Wicinski said. "They kind of showed us where they going, so we just stepped in and got it."
Wicinski and Whitley added four steals each while Yelle, Scofield and Sam Dudman each grabbed two. Wicinski led all scorers with 15 points while Whitley and Hinchman chipped in 12 apiece. Wicinski also had four offensive rebounds.
"Lauren did a great job tonight," Nolan said. "The last month or so she's really been coming on strong. She's not only getting rebounds, but she's putting them back in and finishing, which has been great."
Geneva bolted to a 14-0 margin and all five starters contributed. Hinchman sank a 3-pointer and added a steal and layup while Whitley sank a bucket, Yelle hit a pair of free throws and Wicinski converted a three-point play. Augustine made it 14-0 when she deposited an offensive rebound.
"They played well and we didn't," Kaneland coach Ernie Colombe said. "They're one of the top teams in the state."
Alyssa Galvan finally removed the goose egg on the scoreboard for the Knights (4-9, 1-4) when she scored at the 3:22 mark.
Ten Vikings broke into the scoring column.
Mallory Huml led Kaneland with five points.
