Fighting Saints close regular season with 57-47 win over Geneva, host IHSA Regional next
St. Charles East closed its regular season in convincing fashion Tuesday night, using a decisive second-half push to defeat Geneva 57-47 on their home court. The win capped an 18-12 regular season for the Fighting Saints and secured an 11-3 mark in the DuKane Conference.
Guard Kathlyn Bainbridge powered the Fighting Saints’ offense, pouring in a game-high 20 points to pace a balanced attack. Brooklyn Schilb added 8 points as St. Charles East broke open what had been a tightly contested conference matchup and kept Geneva from mounting a late comeback.
The Fighting Saints set the tone early, attacking the paint and getting to the free-throw line to establish an early lead. Their defensive pressure forced Geneva into contested shots and limited second-chance opportunities, allowing St. Charles East to control the tempo through much of the first half. Geneva stayed within striking distance, but the Saints’ ability to string together stops kept the Vikings from finding an offensive rhythm.
Out of the locker room, St. Charles East created separation with a key third-quarter surge. Bainbridge knocked down shots from multiple levels, and Schilb provided timely scoring to extend the margin to double digits. The Saints’ half-court defense continued to be a difference-maker, closing driving lanes and challenging perimeter looks as Geneva tried to respond.
Geneva made its strongest push in the fourth quarter, trimming the deficit behind a brief scoring run, but the Fighting Saints answered with poise. St. Charles East managed the clock, protected the basketball and converted enough free throws down the stretch to keep the game out of reach. The combination of consistent defensive effort and balanced scoring proved to be the difference in the final minutes.
With the 57-47 victory, St. Charles East finishes league play at 11-3 and turns its attention to the postseason. The Fighting Saints will host the IHSA Regional Playoffs on Feb. 17 at 6 p.m., when they are scheduled to face West Chicago. Riding the momentum of a strong conference finish and a double-digit win over Geneva, the team enters the regional with confidence and a clear sense of identity on both ends of the floor.
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