Geneva 50, DeKalb 27

The Geneva girls basketball team knows not to let their unblemished record boost their egos up.

The Vikings do, however, know their opponents are after them.

"We are really liking it, but (coach Gina Nolan) is always telling us not to let it go to our heads," Geneva guard Emily Hinchman said. "The target on our backs just keeps getting bigger and bigger, and that everyone really wants to beat us."

The Vikings improved to 8-0 overall and 4-0 in the Western Sun Conference with the 50-27 win over DeKalb Friday in Geneva.

DeKalb led momentarily in the first quarter, but Geneva never looked back after a 7-0 run. From there, the Vikings used mini-runs to pull away from the Barbs.

At the break, Geneva led 23-9. DeKalb (3-8, 2-2) didn't reach double-digits until the 6:30 mark of the third quarter.

"We talked about getting it done defensively, and it had to happen there," Nolan said. "Granted, (our 23 points) was not an offensive juggernaut (at the half), but holding a team to 9 points at the half was awesome. It was such a team effort, I thought."

The closest the Barbs came to catching the Vikings was 28-17 after a bucket from MacKenzie Johnson with 3:44 left in the third. Geneva answered that with a 9-0 run, including the game's only trey from Taylor Whitley and back-to-back baskets from Kelsey Augustine.

A steal and basket from Lindsay Templeman capped the run, which allowed the Vikings their first 20 point lead of the game.

Geneva led by as much as 50-24 with 2:37 left in the game after a basket from Lauren Wicinski. The sophomore finished with 11 points (7 points in the fourth) and a game-high 8 rebounds off the bench.

"She seems to have such a nose for where the ball is coming from," Nolan said. "Eight games in, and she's already been so impressive."

Whitley led all scorers with 13 points and 3 steals. Templeman finished with 6 steals and Hinchman tallied 10 points and 3 steals.

"We did not play well in all facets of our game," said DeKalb coach Debbie Whitman, who has been without one of their top guards, Helen Muleya, all season due to an injury.

Not one player for the Barbs reached double-digits; Emily Murphy led the way with 9 points.