James Valley Christian made a defensive change and it ended up changing everything.

That alteration opened up the flood gates to 47 unanswered points as the Vikings picked up a 61-12 non-conference girls’ basketball victory over Aberdeen Christian at the Aberdeen Civic Arena Saturday night.

Leading 10-9 in the opening quarter, JVC decided try something different.

“We started out in man tonight, but (we’re) really good in 2-3 zone,” said James Valley coach Krista Robinson. “We made that switch. We just couldn’t seem to get in the flow of the game.”

That move jump started the Vikings and left the Knights searching for offense.

Aberdeen Christian managed to make just one shot the rest of the game as the Vikings took control, shutting out the host squad in the second and third quarters.

“We kind of picked out who they were trying to get the ball to,” Robinson said, “and our guards did a really good job up top just keeping the pressure on them and were able to get some easy steals.”

Soon, the Vikings started making shots from a variety of spots and that only led to more pressure defense on the other end where JVC was busy forcing 33 turnovers in the contest.

“When those shots start falling, your confidence starts growing,” Robinson said, “and all of a sudden you hustle a little more on defense.”

With the Vikings swarming all over the ball and jumping into passing lanes, the inexperienced Knights had a difficult time getting looks at the basket.

“The way we passed the ball, we’re still having that problem,” said Knights coach Cristian Martinez. “The passing game for us, that’s a challenge right now.”

Alexa Goertz scored 21 points and Kaylie Robinson had 15, and each hauled down nine rebounds to power the Vikings.

Coach Robinson, who still owns the all-time scoring record at Presentation College when she played as Krista DeJong from 2001 to 2005, thought her players passed up some shots to start the contest.

“At the beginning we were all being a little too unselfish, which that never usually happens in a basketball game,” she said. “I know when I played that was never a problem.”

She is looking forward to seeing what her troops can do this season.

“These girls just want to win basketball games. They don’t care who scores, but they want to win,” Coach Robinson said. “They’re going to do whatever it takes. They have great attitudes, wonderful work ethics.”

Chloe Holt topped the Knights with eight points, including a pair of three-pointers.

Aberdeen Christian is scheduled to play at Warner on Tuesday.

Martinez said his players will continue to work hard to improve throughout the season.

“We know this season is going to be more of a learning process. Those girls are still working as hard as they can,” Martinez said. “Now it’s my part. I have to transform those girls. We’re still working. We’re not going to stop.”

JAMES VALLEY CHRISTIAN (1-0): Daril Frandsen 4 1-1 9, Abby Hasart 2 0-0 4, Andee Frandsen 2 0-0 5, Kaylie Robinson 7 0-0 15, Lily Hofer 2 1-2 5, Maggie Decker 1 0-0 2, Alexa Goertz 7 4-5 21. Totals 25-51 6-8 61.

ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN (0-2): Bailey Englund 1 0-0 2, Chloe Holt 3 0-1 8, Chloe Bosma 1 0-2 2. Totals 5-22 0-3 12.

James Valley Christian 14 27 45 61

Aberdeen Christian  9 9 9 12

3-oint field goals – Robinson, Goertz; Holt 2. Total fouls – James Valley Christian 6; Aberdeen Christian 6. Rebounds – James Valley Christian 29 (Robinson 9, Goertz 9); Aberdeen Christian 15 (Bosma 8). Turnovers – James Valley Christian 12; Aberdeen Christian 33.