MOUNT MORRIS — Playing their third game this week, the Geneseo Blue Devils once again picked up a victory, defeating the Mount Morris Blue Devils, 69-59.
The Blue Devils struggled early on defensively and showed signs of a team that had played three games in one week. The team had 13 first half turnovers and only found themselves up by four, 30-26, going to the half.
Coming out of the break, the Blue Devils got some of their rhythm back, receiving a strong second half from guard Bryan Rollins, who scored 13 points and a season-high in points from forward Jimmy Root, who scored 17.
Head coach Brian Stout said his team would need to improve on some of the fundamentals.
“We were definitely a little flat defensively,” Stout said. “We gave up 59 points, that might be the most or second most all season. They ran a triangle two at us on Bryan (Rollins) and Mo (Carlon) early. Jimmy (Root) hit some shots early and Elton (Johnson) hit some shots in the third quarter and we did a good job of finding the open man, but we had 13 first half turnovers and that’s too many, we were trying to force the break a little too much.”
Even amongst the turnovers, Root had his most dominant offense performance of the season, a game that didn’t surprise Stout.
“They left him open and I think that was their game plan,” Stout said. “He showed them he can knock some shots down, he’s actually are highest 3-point percentage shooter on the season and they were leaving him open on the arc.”
Root expressed that he was impressed with his performance.
“They left me open and I knocked down a couple of threes and I looked for the drive, but I didn’t have it, so I stepped back and knocked them down,” Root said.
Devin Milford shined for Mount Morris yet again, as he scored a game-high 29 points.
In picking up the win, the Blue Devils can focus all their attention on their Valentine’s Day showdown with the York Golden Knights, a game everyone, coaches and players alike, are looking forward to.
“We’re never excited to see York,” Stout said laughingly. “It’s going to be a different style of game, I believe they’re saying Shutts is out, but it’s going to be a different style with Curry, Logsdon and Short inside. They’ll be looking to go inside a little more than they did earlier in the year, but we’re definitely going to have to get refocused and have three good hard days of practice for Thursday.”
“We just have to focus on York now, but it’s a big game for the league and hopefully we can get it done,” Rollins said.
Geneseo (15-2) will battle York on Thursday and the game will be live on tv.geneseesun.com.