After taking it to LaSalle-Peru on Thursday, the Geneseo girls’ basketball team turned around on Saturday to face a tough Alleman squad as the Lady Leafs finished the week with a split.

Geneseo vs. Alleman

A second quarter surge by Alleman proved to be the difference maker in Geneseo’s contest with the Pioneers Jan. 30. Alleman went on to defeat the Lady Leafs, 50-35.

“It was a good to play Alleman because it helped us get ready for the postseason,” said head coach Steve Brucher. “Alleman is a little more physical than teams we play in the postseason and it was good to play a team like that.”

Geneseo had an early lead in the first quarter, 10-9, but in the second quarter Alleman knocked down 19 points and held Geneseo to nine for a 28-19 advantage at the break.

“In the second quarter, Alleman outscored us, which ended up being the difference,” said Brucher. “Alleman got to the free-throw line 16 times in the second quarter.”

Alleman extended its lead in the third quarter, outscoring Geneseo 12-10 for a 40-29 score. In the fourth quarter, Alleman added another 10 points to secure the win and held Geneseo to only six.

Allison Wiese, Keatyn DeGrave and Allie Hudson led the Lady Leafs with seven points apiece — Wiese with two field goals and three free throws; and Keatyn DeGrave and Hudson, three field goals and a free throw apiece.

Devan Griffin chipped in six points on three field goals, followed by Jena Rice with four points on two field goals.

Rounding out the effort were Kaci Storm and Natalie Witter, each with two points, both on a field goal. 

Geneseo vs. LaSalle-Peru

A balanced scoring attack and a tough defensive performance helped boost Geneseo to a convincing NCIC road win over LaSalle-Peru Jan. 28, 45-24.

“That was a game where we felt if we played well we would be alright,” said Brucher. “We rested Devan Griffin, who was battling a hamstring injury, which gave us the opportunity to get others some more minutes.”

The game opened up with a three-point ball game at the end of the first quarter, 15-12, but then Geneseo’s defense was able to stifle the LP offense and hold them to only single digits the rest of the game.

Geneseo knocked down 11 points in the second quarter, while holding LP to only one point for a 26-13 advantage at the half.

Both teams were held to single digits in the third quarter, Geneseo scoring seven and LP, five for a 33-18 score in favor of Geneseo. The Lady Leafs posted 12 more points in the fourth quarter and held LP to six for the final score.

“Defense was key,” said Brucher. “We really tightened up our defense and contained them after the first quarter.”

Keatyn DeGrave led the way for Geneseo with seven points as she hit three field goals and a free throw.

Maggie Bergeson, Rice and Hudson chipped in six points apiece — Bergeson went 4-for-4 from the foul line and added a field goal; Rice scored on two field goals and two free throws and Hudson hit three shots from the field.

Witter added five points, knocking down a shot from beyond the arc and a field goal, followed by Wiese and Storm with four points apiece, both with two field goals.

Others contributing to the win were Kelsey Burress with three points, sinking three free throws and Katie DeGrave and Nicole Adams both with two points, each with a field goal.

The Lady Leafs (19-6 overall and 6-3 in the NCIC) will next host Ottawa a 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9.

“We still need to get better and there is room to grow,” said Brucher.