Geneva blows by Larkin

Geneva used an early 14-0 run to take control of its Upstate Eight Conference River Division matchup with Larkin Friday on its way to a 74-33 victory.

The win keeps No. 4 Geneva (16-4, 8-1) tied with No. 8 St. Charles East for the River lead. The teams meet in the regular season finale Feb. 10.

Larkin (10-14, 3-7) trailed 6-4 on a putback by freshman Brianna Young before the Vikings scored the next 14 points. Stephanie Hart started the surge with a 3-point basket from the top of the key, and Grace Loberg ended it with back-to-back steals that she converted into easy lay-ins.

The Vikings led 28-12 after one quarter and 43-18 at halftime.

"They did what they wanted to do and we didn't do what we wanted to do," Larkin coach Steve Knapp said. "We came out in a zone hoping they wouldn't shoot well and they shot very well."

Geneva's bench played a lot in the second half. Brittany Caskey nailed a pair of 3s in the fourth quarter, and Anilise Bragg scored 4 points.

It was the little things that Geneva coach Sarah Meadows enjoyed, like Mallory Madison drawing a charge.

"One of the things we talked about being better at is not to play even with teams," Meadows said. "To come out ready and blow it open in the first quarter. The last two games we've scored 28 and 29 points in the first quarter. That's what we are capable of doing. Play the way we are supposed to be doing."

Hart led all scorers with 17 points and also had 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Loberg filled up the stat sheet with 14 points, 12 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists and 2 blocked shots. Margaret Whitley scored 13 points.

Larkin star Marlee Kyles finished with 16 points, 8 rebounds and 5 steals.