Last-second stunner in Maple Park

With scouts from Bradley University and Cleveland State in the stands, Taylor Whitley sure made an impression on the observing coaches.

Whitley, a junior guard on the Geneva girls basketball team -- the player those coaches came to watch -- poured in a game-high 25 points and netted the game-winning basket in the Vikings' 65-64 win against Kaneland in overtime in Maple Park in Western Sun Conference action Tuesday.

Whitley was limited to just 7 points in the first half because of early foul trouble. She scored 8 in the fourth quarter and 6 more in the extra frame, including the driving layup in the lane that she nailed with 3.4 seconds remaining.

"I just wanted to win so bad," Whitley said. "We just really needed to get a shot off, and I just so happened to have the ball."

Kaneland (6-12, 1-6) led all of the second half and by as much as 8 points twice in the third. The Vikings were able to tie the game in regulation at 57 after Emily Hinchman's basket with a minute remaining in the fourth quarter.

Kaneland's Brittney Hankes (19 points, 8 rebounds) and Whitley traded free throws in the final minute, but the game was locked at 58 going into overtime, as neither team was able to score again.

"We talked before the overtime period, and at that point, we had to play as much of a mental game as we had to a physical game because we had to keep our emotions in check and we had to make decisions," Geneva coach Gina Nolan said. "Hopefully then, the physical stuff would take care of itself, and I think it did."

In overtime, Geneva (13-4, 7-1) took the lead back for the first time since the middle of the second quarter. After a pair of ties, Kaneland got the lead back after a free throw from Mallory Huml and bucket from Lesley Winslow that gave the Knights a 64-61 advantage with 1:35 left in the game.

That would be the last time Kaneland would score, as Whitley closed the game out with a free throw and the game-winner.

The last time these two teams played in mid-December, Geneva won, 61-27, so the Knights have improved since then.

"Tonight, we didn't get it done in the end, but we had our shots to," Colombe said. "It's an improvement, and I think the improvement is coming because the girls have great attitudes because they work hard every day in practice."

Katie Hatch finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds for Kaneland. Geneva's Lauren Wicinski (12 points, 11 rebounds) and Hinchman (11 points) also tallied double-digits.