JEFFERSON TWP - The hope that Deer Lakes carried into the second half didn't last long.

Being on the wrong end of a 24-4 run will do that to a team.

Knoch shot a blistering 9-of-13 for 69 percent from the field in the third quarter Wednesday, turning a 36-23 halftime lead into a commanding 60-27 advantage after three periods of play.

The Knights emptied their bench in the final eight minutes before walking from the floor with a 73-47 Section 1-AAA boys basketball win.

"We were coming off a big win (Tuesday night) against Hampton," said Knoch coach Les Shoop. "Sometimes you get a win like that and you come back the next day thinking you're the greatest team in the world.

"Deer Lakes didn't outscore us in the first half, but they certainly outplayed us," added Shoop.

Ryan Ziacik drained three of his six 3-pointers in the third period to lead the assault on the Lancers.

He ended the night with a game-high 19 points.

"Ryan can shoot the ball," said Shoop. "He's the definition of a textbook shooter and we expect him to do well in that part of his game."

Jordan Shoop added 15 points while Ryan Hollihan tallied 10 points and 10 rebounds in the victory.

"They have the total package," Lancers coach Kevin Smetak said. "They've got the point guard (Shoop) and guys inside who can hurt you as well."

Bill Holtz led the Lancers (0-7, 0-3) with 12 points.

Knoch held a 12-9 lead after one quarter, but neither team was able to sustain momentum.

Leading 16-13 with 5:30 left before halftime, the Knights went on a 9-1 run in the next 90 seconds to grab a 25-14 advantage.

Ziacik's 3-pointer as time expired in the half gave Knoch its 13-point advantage at the break.

"We decided to switch to a box-and-one on defense in the second half," said Smetak. "We wanted to see if it would rattle them a bit, but (Knoch) has some very good players and they were able to adjust to it."

The Knights carry a perfect 3-0 section record (6-1 overall) into Monday's Freeport Holiday Tournament.

"Every game in this section is a hurdle," said Shoop. "And we're very happy to be 3-0 at this point."

DEER LAKES 47

Jon Krause 1 0-0 2, Jesse Sudetic 1 0-0 2, Jon Bastian 3 2-2 8, Chris McIntyre 1 0-0 2, Bill Holtz 6 0-1 12, Scott Orris 2 1-4 5, Bill Bryner 2 1-2 5, Nick Latronica 3 2-2 9, Ryan Bonazza 1 0-0 2. Totals: 20 6-11 47.

KNOCH 73

Scott Muska 2 1-2 5, Eric Czech 1 0-0 2, Ryan Ziacik 6 1-1 19, Jordan Shoop 5 3-7 15, Ryan Hollihan 2 6-6 10, Tim Hickey 1 0-0 2, Curtis Compton 2 0-0 4, Rob Briggs 2 2-2 6, Paul Hancheck 0 1-2 1, Bill Elliot 2 3-4 7, Alex Whistler 1 0-0 2, Dave Rickard 0 0-1 0, Pawel Brzozowski 0 0-0 0, Joel Berger 0 0-0 0. Totals: 24 17-25 73.

3-point goals:

Latronica; Ziacik 6, Shoop 2.

JV:

Knoch 49-27 (K-Rob Briggs 19; DL-Jon Bastian 12)

Monday:

Knoch vs. Leechburg @ Freeport Holiday Tournament