Santos swishes last-second shot for Geneva win
Geneva extended its perfect record over the past three years in the Naperville North/Benet Holiday Tournament Friday night in its most dramatic fashion yet.
Junior Ashley Santos drained an 18-foot jumper from the top of the key with 29 seconds left, breaking a 49-49 tie. Santos added 2 game-sealing free throws with 5.4 seconds remaining for a 53-49 win over host Benet.
The win followed a 4-point victory over Wheaton Warrenville South Thursday, though the Vikings didn't need the clutch last-second shots in that one. It didn't look like they would Friday either until Benet (8-5) erased a 15-point deficit, setting the stage for Santos' heroics.
"The game started to get tight and they just gave me a little space and I just let it fly," said Santos, who scored 21 points on 9-of-12 shooting, grabbed 7 rebounds and emphatically swatted 3 shots.
"I think we are more comfortable with these type of situations because we have been in them before. We know as a team how we should handle it. We really grouped together to finish this one out."
After Santos put Geneva ahead, Benet called timeout with 15.3 seconds left and freed up the red-hot Sidney Prasse whose 3-pointer that would have given the Redwings the lead went about halfway down before popping out.
"We ran it and we ran it well, she got a good look at it and it just didn't fall," Benet coach Peter Paul said. "You can't put the shot in but as long as you get the shot off we ran I'm proud of them. That was the shot we wanted, we had the shooter we wanted and it didn't go in this time."
Geneva (8-3) came out on fire, hitting 10 of 11 shots from the field in the first quarter to grab a 22-13 lead.
Paul called two timeouts to try to slow the Vikings but they kept running. Kat Yelle (21 points, 4 steals) and Santos combined to go 9-for-9 from the field, and Sammy Scofield assisted on three of the baskets.
Vikings assistant coach Tim Pease called the quarter the second best stretch of basketball the team has played besides last Saturday's fourth-quarter comeback in a 1-point loss at Springfield Southeast.
"Sharing the ball, running, finishing in transition, execution of our set plays, and while that was happening we played pretty good defense," Pease said.
Geneva took its biggest lead at 36-21. Benet's Danielle Canulli kept the Redwings in the game scoring 14 of her team-high 18 points in the first half as they trailed 38-25 at halftime.
"We're not used to that kind of speed," Paul said. "It took us awhile to adjust. I thought the kids did a great job at the end of getting back and forcing them to set up."
Without the easy transition baskets, Geneva struggled to 2-of-9 shooting in the third quarter, yet still seemed in control with a 46-35 lead early in the fourth thanks to backup guard Rachel Hinchman's driving basket, assist on a Santos score, and finally a free throw.
But Benet followed with a 12-1 surge to tie the game at 47 with 1:48 remaining. Nicole Valentine (game-high 12 rebounds) penetrated for a pair of baskets and Prasse connected on two 3-pointers, including the game-tying shot.
"Benet came at us hard in the second half and we knew they weren't going to lie down with the shooters they have and capable scorers," Pease said.
With all the momentum on Benet's side, Geneva executed perfectly on its final two trips. First the Vikings found reserve Brooke Binette, who was fouled on a short jumper and made both free throws.
"They have to be two of the biggest free throws she's hit in her career. Very happy for her," Pease said. "That kid works her tail off every day in practice."
After Canulli tied the game with 1:08 left, the Vikings worked the clock down until Santos pulled up for her game-winning shot.
"The ball is in her hands to make the decision," Pease said. "She can either get to the basket or pull up for that or penetrate and pitch to the player in the short corner. I trust her 100 percent. It's a shot she practices every day."