BUFFALO TWP — On paper, Monday's Knoch-Freeport game had the look of a regular nonsection contest.

Yellowjackets coach Gene Rodgers saw it as having much greater importance.

The Class AA Yellowjackets outscored the Knights 10-2 over the final 2:12 to come away with a 58-53 victory.

"We've talked to the guys about defining moments of a program and this is one of those times," Rodgers said.

"We didn't play Knoch last year ... but it's a great rivalry for the school and for our guys to take care of business on our floor against a very talented Knoch team, that showed their mental toughness," he added.

After a 2-5 start, the Yellowjackets have won four of their past six — with the losses coming against Clearfield (9-0) in the championship game of the Purchase Line Tournament and a one-point defeat by first-place Ford City — and are developing team chemistry.

"We've had some close losses, but the guys have been committed to make a change and that's helped to turn this thing around,"Rodgers said.

After a 3-pointer by Harrison Wood just before the halftime buzzer, Freeport (6-8) took a 29-24 lead, then used a pair of Alex Isenberg baskets sandwiched around a free throw by Sean Carnahan to open the second half and take a 34-25 lead.

"About midway through the fourth quarter, there were a couple of decisions I made with the play calling that were poor choices," said Knoch coach Chris Andreassi. " That's what I'm thinking about now."

Knoch, however, went on a 14-2 tear, capped by a Mike Gallagher 3-pointer, for a 39-36 lead.

Gallagher had seven points and Jake McTighe five to highlight the run. McTighe finished with 20 points and Gallagher 19 for the Knights (5-8).

Freeport's Nick Gentile answered the run with a 3-pointer of his own to tie the game 17 seconds later.

Knoch regained the lead and didn't lose it until the Yellowjackets made their late-game run.

Carnahan scored, then Derek Durand stole the ball and scored with 1:48 remaining to give the Yellowjackets a one-point lead. A driving, weaving layup by Isenberg with 1:01 left opened a 54-51 lead.

McTighe scored with 39 seconds left to pull the Knights to within one, but they would not score the rest of the way.

"I thought we had a couple of pretty good looks," said Andreassi. "But, we just didn't finish and they made some shots."

The Yellowjackets were able to prevail despite having two starters, Isenberg and Darius Frantz, in foul trouble. Both picked up three first-half fouls, then both received their fourth early in the third quarter and sat out until there was 6:25 left in the game.

Another starter, Harrison Wood, injured his ankle with 4:11 left in the third quarter and did not play.

Freeport received 16 points from Isenberg and 12 more from Gentile.

"These guys have bonded together and cheer each other on," said Rodgers. "This is a team and they played like that tonight."

KNOCH 53Mike Gallagher 6 3-5 19, Andrew Wirtz 0 0-2 0, Chris Cetnar 3 0-0 6, Jake McTighe 6 8-11 20, Micah Lio 0 2-2 2, Kevin Wood 0 0-0 0, Ethan Danner 0 0-0 0, 0 0-0 0, Brandon Flick 1 2-2 4, Nathan Junk 1 0-1 2.

Totals: 17 15-23 53.

FREEPORT 58Nick Gentile 4 2-2 12, Alex Isenberg 5 5-6 16, Harrison Wood 3 0-0 8, Sean Carnahan 3 1-4 7, Darius Frantz 2 2-3 6, Derek Durand 1 0-0 2, Jake Campbell 0 0-0 0, Tyler Singer 0 0-0 0, John Douglas 0 0-1 0, Mitchell Shaw 3 1-2 7.

Totals: 21 11-18 58.

Knoch 10 14 17 12—53Freeport 11 18 13 16—583-point goals: Gallagher 4; Gentile 2, Wood 2, Isenberg

JV: Freeport, 43-36

Today: Mars at Knoch

Friday: Burrell at Freeport