Batavia pulls out last-minute win over Geneva

GENEVA – Julia Arulandu’s two clutch free throws with 8.2 seconds left on the clock sealed Batavia‘s 43-39 win over Geneva in DuKane Conference action Friday night.

Batavia trailed 16-12 after the first quarter and tied the game 25-25 as the first half ended. The second half was a see-saw battle between the two teams.

The win raises second-place Batavia’s conference record to 8-2. The Bulldogs are 18-8 overall.

Bridget Hecker’s layup with 2:15 left in the fourth quarter put host Geneva up 39-38. The senior led all scorers with 20 points. The Bulldogs’ Hallie Crane (nine points) responded with a baseline layup to put Batavia back in front 40-39, the ninth lead change of the game.

Crane led the Bulldogs’ scoring with 15 points.

With less than a minute left to play, Geneva was unable to convert back-to-back shots and fouled Kaidyn King to regain possession. The Batavia senior converted one free throw to make it a two-point game.

With the game clock down to 30 seconds, Peri Sweeny’s layup did not drop and once again, Geneva (7-17, 4-7) needed to get the ball back and fouled Arulandu.

“We put an emphasis on free throws in practice and this was the moment I needed to make my free throws. I knew if I made them, it would clinch the game,” Arulandu said. “I was thinking that since all my teammates work so hard all game, let’s win the game here.”

Both teams sank only three baskets in the third quarter. The Bulldogs canned three 3s while all the Vikings' buckets were two pointers. Natalie Warner’s 3 from the right wing just before the buzzer put Batavia on top 34-31 to start the final frame.

“Warner’s basket at the end of the third quarter swung the momentum in Batavia’s favor,” Geneva coach Sarah Meadows said.

During a 75-second stretch late in the second half of the fourth quarter, the lead changed hands four times. The last change was Crane’s layup.

“In the second half we were a little more consistent defensively. We had a couple of rotational things off in the first half that gave them a couple of easy shots,” Batavia coach Kevin Jensen said. “We hit a couple of big shots in the second half, but it all starts with us executing on defense.”

“If we start off slow, we pick each other up and tell each other the adjustments we need to make, and we are really good at locking in on those adjustments,” added Crane. “We started to play better offensively in the second half when we were switching up the plays and getting better reads.”

Meadows was pleased with Emma Peterson’s defensive effort. The 6-foot freshman pulled down 10 rebounds.

“She went to work on the boards for sure. We needed her to be physical and tough and she was every bit of that tonight,” Meadows said.