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Geneva catches fire, shoots down Streamwood

After two games when it seemed like Geneva couldn't get any shot to drop, the Vikings enjoyed a night when it seemed every shot that went up went in.

Geneva found its home gym the right remedy to snap a rare two-game losing streak, scoring a season-high 87 points thanks in large part to sinking 14 shots from behind the 3-point line in an 87-51 Upstate Eight River victory over Streamwood.

Senior guard Margaret Whitley, who didn't make a 3 last week against Mother McAuley or Loyola, led the way hitting all five of her 3-point attempts, and none of her first four even touched the rim while swishing through.

"They were just bottom of the net," Geneva coach Sarah Meadows said. "It was awesome."

Whitley finished with 19 points, and Brie Borkowicz was right behind with 17 points and four 3-point baskets.

"We've just been working really hard in practice and focusing on our shooting and really working on our form," Borkowicz said.

"We know everyone wants to beat us and we need to remember that every team we are going to play is going to play us hard, as hard as they can. We just have to be ready for that. We are going to lose sometimes, it's how we respond to it. Everyone played well tonight."

Geneva (16-3, 6-0) made just two 3-point baskets in a loss to Loyola Saturday. They had that beat by the 5:10 mark of the first quarter, all three by Whitley.

A 3 from Borkowicz opened a 20-1 lead.

Streamwood (3-16, 3-3) rallied behind Maddie Exline, who was just as hot as Geneva's shooters. Exline scored 15 of the Sabres' first 19 points and helped her team reduce that 19-point deficit to 25-19 early in the second quarter.

"It was a good day," Exline said. "Honestly our press break is really what got me the shots. Our girls broke down the press and I was able to run the floor and get open looks."

The Sabres did handle the Vikings' press well, turning the ball over only four times in the first half and eight in the game.

"I thought we did a great job breaking their press," Sabres coach George Rosner said. "Very few turnovers and this is the No. 1 press you are going to see. Everyone worked hard and contributed."

After Exline brought the Sabres within 6 points, it again was Whitley who opened the margin back up with back-to-back 3s. Cassidy Navigato drained the first of her three 3-pointers as Geneva led 38-26 at halftime.

Stephanie Hart, who didn't score in the first half, joined the 3-point show with two quick treys in the third quarter during a 16-2 run that made it 54-28.

Brittany Caskey, Anna Burke and Anilise Bragg all scored in the fourth quarter before Emma Davine put the final touches on Geneva's big night with the last two baskets. Madison Mallory finished with 10 points, Navigato 9 and Hart and Maddy Yelle both had 8 - a night the Vikings needed following last week's cold shooting.

"We know every shooter isn't going to make every shot but usually there's two that will make them," Meadows said. "We just have not been scoring. Tonight everyone was scoring."

Exline led Streamwood with 21 points. Mandy Mien added 8.

"We are facing a really good team like Geneva, we can't look at the score, we just have to keep playing hard the whole time," Exline said.

"That was quite a shooting exhibition (by Geneva), but I'm proud of my girls," Rosner said. "I thought we gave a great effort tonight."

Images: Geneva vs. Streamwood, girls basketball

  Geneva's Emma Kornak tries to score against Streamwood's Becky Roncone during a girls basketball game Tuesday in Geneva. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Geneva's Lindsay Blackmore is stopped under the basket by Streamwood's Alexis Rojas and Mandy Mien during a girls basketball game Tuesday in Geneva. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Geneva's Margaret Whitley, left, and Madison Mallory sandwich Streamwood's Maddi Exline as the trio battle for a rebound during a girls basketball game Tuesday in Geneva. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Streamwood's Becky Roncone eyes the basket as she goes against Geneva's Emma Kornak during a girls basketball game Tuesday in Geneva. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Streamwood's Maddi Exline cuts through Geneva's defense during a girls basketball game Tuesday in Geneva. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Above: Geneva's Margaret Whitley lines up one of her 3-point shots against Streamwood Tuesday in Geneva. Below: Maddi Exline led the Sabres with 21 points. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Streamwood's Maddi Exline gets shot against Geneva's Margaret Whitley during a girls basketball game Tuesday in Geneva. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
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