JEFFERSON TWP - The Knoch girls basketball team fought for every loose ball and made baskets at crucial moments.

But the Knights were unable to overcome one fatal flaw: They were outscored 19-2 at the foul line.

Hampton used that advantage to come away with a 52-46 Section 1-AAA road win Thursday night.

"Hampton made a lot of free throws in the fourth quarter," said Knights coach Curt Vasas. "We gave up a lot of points there, and that was pretty much the difference in the game."

Hampton led 36-29 after three quarters, but the Knights opened the final period with a 7-0 run to pull even.

Hampton's Raeann Szelong drained a 3-pointer to end her team's scoring drought for a 39-36 lead with 4:48 left to play.

The Talbots scored 13 points the rest of the game, with nine of them coming from the free throw line.

"We knew (Knoch) would make a run," said Hampton coach Gary Wilson. "That's what good teams do. The key for us is that we didn't fall apart when they tied the game up."

Trailing 50-46, Knoch had the ball with 21 seconds left before a missed shot followed by a turnover ended the Knights' hopes.

"One thing about our girls, they're never going to give up," said Vasas. "They have a lot of heart. We just came up a bit short tonight."

Lauren Koegler led Knoch with 15 points on five 3-point goals.

"She's a very good outside shooter," said Vasas. "She kept us in the game tonight with those shots."

Knoch's Nicole Reiser added 11 points in defeat while Liz Burgard led the team with eight rebounds.

Hampton featured four players with at least nine points, led by Maria Milfeit's 15. Ashley Florijan added 14, including a 7-of-8 performance from the line in the final quarter.

Knoch's last lead in the game was 23-22 in the closing seconds of the first half before Milfeit hit two free throws to give Hampton a 24-23 advantage at the break.

It was the second time this season the Knights (10-7, 6-4) lost by six points to Hampton. The Talbots grabbed a 39-33 win Dec. 20 on their home floor.

"I think these two teams are that evenly matched," said Wilson. "Last year, we split the two games.

"A lot of times, it's all going to come down to a couple of big plays," said Wilson. "And we had some girls knock down some big shots for us."

The win gives Hampton (12-6, 7-3) sole possession of third place in the section behind North Catholic and Mars.

HAMPTON 52

Caraline Cody 4 0-0 9, Maria Milfeit 4 6-9 15, Raeann Szelong 3 1-2 9, Ashley Florijan 3 7-8 14, C.J. Graham 0 5-6 5. Totals: 14 19-25 52.

KNOCH 46

Nicole Reiser 5 1-1 11, Pam Gagen 2 0-0 4, Liz Burgard 2 0-0 5, Lauren Koegler 5 0-0 15, Jen Robinson 3 1-2 7, Liz King 2 0-1 4. Totals: 19 2-4 46.

3-point goals:

Szelong 2, Florijan, Milfeit, Cody; Koegler 5, Burgard.

JV:

Hampton 44-26 (H-C.J. Graham 16 points; K-Ashley MacArthur 9)

Saturday:

Knoch @ Pine-Richland