FOX CHAPEL — Knoch girls basketball coach Chris Andreassi said experience went a long way toward the Knights securing the program's first WPIAL playoff win in 11 years.

Free throws helped a little, too.

Knoch (17-6) drained 14 of 18 foul shots in the fourth quarter and did not sink a field goal in the final period, holding off New Castle, 43-35, in a first-round Class 4A game Monday night at Fox Chapel.

The Knights had not won a playoff game since 2009.

“Don't think experience doesn't play a big factor there,” Andreassi said. “Two years ago, we went to the playoffs for the first time in a number of years and lost. Last year, we went back — but with a whole new team — and lost.

“That team came back this year. They spent all of this past year working toward winning this game.”

New Castle (13-10) was held below 40 points for only the fifth time all season. The Red Hurricanes entered the contest averaging just under 50 per game.

“Defense is what we're all about,” Knoch senior Abbey Shearer said. “That's how we win.”

Knoch trailed 3-2 after a first quarter that saw the teams combine to make two of 14 shots from the field. The Knights used a 9-0 run in the second quarter to take a 13-5 lead midway through the second quarter. Madilyn Boyer and Navaeh Ewing both sank treys during the spurt.

Knoch never trailed again, but never managed to build a double-digit lead, either.

“I thought the first quarter was well played by both teams,” New Castle coach Kara Joseph said. “There was great defense played in that quarter.”

Andreassi agreed.

“Our girls' mood never changes,” he said. “Whether it's 3-2 or 23-22 after that quarter, it wouldn't have mattered to them.”

The Knights took a 29-25 lead into the fourth quarter. Trailing 32-29 with less than four minutes to play, New Castle started fouling.

“I was very surprised they started fouling that early,” Shearer admitted.

Shearer sank both ends of a one-and-one with 3:22 to play. A layup by Alayani Hudson, an offensive rebound and put-back by Kerri Lyles pulled the 'Canes within 34-33 with 1:59 to play.

“We knew they were gonna try to stall if we didn't force the issue,” Joseph said. “It's not that we were trying to foul. We tried to trap them in the backcourt and when we do that, sometimes we foul early.”

Knoch freshman Nina Shaw missed the front end of a one-and-one with 1:46 to play, but Lauren Cihonski grabbed a critical offensive rebound. Shaw was fouled again and hit both ends of the one-and-one with 1:41 left.

Shearer sank one of two free throws for a 37-33 lead with 1:15 remaining.

“They were trying to foul Abbey and Nina because those two had been struggling at the line,” Andreassi said. “They stepped up and hit 'em.”

The Knights had a 37-35 lead with 1:02 left when Shaw sank two free throws. She added two more with 37.7 seconds to play.

“I don't usually make my free throws,” Shaw said. “I make maybe 25 percent of them. Tonight, I knew I had to make them if we were going to win this game.”

Shearer iced the game by sinking two free throws with 30.9 seconds left. Shaw sank seven of nine, Shearer five of six in the final period.

“Those were the two we were trying to foul,” Joseph said. “They weren't doing well at the line, but this is the playoffs and playoffs can change people.”

Boyer led Knoch with 15 points and eight rebounds. Shaw and Ewing had nine points each, Cihonski six rebounds.

Hudson paced New Castle with 13 points and five rebounds. Rivera had nine points and eight boards, Mia Graham six rebounds and four assists.

Hudson and Graham fouled out late in the fourth quarter.

“Our goal this year was to take the next step and win a playoff game,” Andreassi said. “This has been a great year for our team.”

Knoch can tie the program record for wins in a season if it defeats Central Valley Thursday night.

NEW CASTLE 35

Mia Graham 3-6 0-0 6, Alaya Repress 1-7 0-0 2, Raquel Rivera 3-8 3-3 9, Kerri Lyles 2-5 0-0 4, Alayani Hudson 5-16 3-4 13, Neena Flora 0-1 1-2 1, Deja Drew 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 14-43 7-9 35.

KNOCH 43

Abbey Shearer 0-4 6-8 6, Navaeh Ewing 3-11 1-2 9, Nina Shaw 1-6 7-9 9, Madilyn Boyer 6-12 0-0 15, Lauren Cihonski 0-1 2-3 2, Jaylee Lassinger 1-1 0-0 2, Megan Vasas 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 11-34 156-22 43.

New Castle 3 11 11 10 — 35

Knoch2 20 7 14 — 43

3-point goals: Ewing 2, Boyer 3

Thursday: WPIAL 4A playoffs-Knoch vs .Central Valley, 8 p.m., Fox Chapel