Defense Is Key in Vikings' 49-38 Win Against Bulldogs

In a physical, tense defensive struggle, the Vikings boys basketball team held on to beat the Bulldogs 49-38 in Friday's rivalry match at Geneva.

It wasn't pretty, and the game was anything but fast-paced, but it was a work of art for the Vikings, who advance to 6-0 on the season and 1-0 in the Upstate Eight River Division. Batavia moves to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the UEC.

Geneva jumped to a 12-2 start, but a basket and free throw by Luke Horton cut it to 12-5 at the end of the first quarter, and Batavia took the lead halfway through the second period on a 3-pointer by Micah Coffey. The lead changed five times in the back half of the quarter, and Batavia came out on top 20-19 with a Zach Strittmatter basket to close out the half.

Geneva regained the lead on Cam Cook's 3-pointer and held onto a 31-27 lead after three quarters. Coffey tied it again with a 3-pointer with 5:08 remaining, but the Vikings' Mike Trimble went to the line, made the first, missed the second, and Connor Chapman nabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled. Chapman made two free throws and Cook followed with another 3 to make it 38-32 with 4:35 on the clock.

Nate Navigato scored on a give-and-go with 2:20 remaining to give Geneva a 40-32 lead, and free throws sealed the win.

The game was decided by tough defense on both sides, Geneva's strong offensive rebounding and at the free-throw line, where the Vikings outscored the Bulldogs 18-1.

Score By Quarters

• Geneva 12-7-12-18 — 49
• Batavia 5-15-7-11 — 38