FOX CHAPEL — The final score said it was a rout, but for nearly three quarters it was anything but.

The Knoch girls basketball team entered its WPIAL Class AAA play-in round playoff game against Hopewell with just five wins and barely more healthy bodies.

Still, the Knighst trailed by just seven midway through the third quarter before fading in a 65-35 loss to the Vikings at Fox Chapel High School Saturday afternoon.

“They're learning,” said Knoch coach Sean O'Donnell. “With youth comes inconsistency. We've played two or three good quarters in most of the games we've played this season, then one quarter hurts us.”

Knoch (5-18) fell behind 11-0 in the first three minutes of the game, but then outscored Hopewell (13-10) 25-21 over the next 15 minutes.

It was enough to get the blood of Hopewell coach Jeff Homziak boiling.

During a timeout he told his players if they wanted to go home, the bus is right outside.

“I told them there are 24 teams in the playoffs and everyone had a 1-in-24 shot, no matter the record,” Homziak said.

Knoch played with three key members out with injury or illness: senior Taylor Zonts was lost early in the season with a knee injury, senior Haley Williams missed the game with a high ankle sprain and freshman Savanna Steffen was on the bench after undergoing a tonsillectomy early in the week.

That left just eight healthy bodies to deal with the Vikings.

“I have to give our girls credit for battling all year,” O'Donnell said. “They don't quit when they get down. They just keep playing and keep playing hard. Hopefully with age and maturity, the consistency will come.”

Knoch had several opportunities to cut further into Hopewell's lead.

But the Knights missed five straight shots with the Hopewell lead at seven and the Vikings eventually went on a 17-4 run to push the lead to 20 to quash any upset thoughts from Knoch.

Shatori Walker-Kimbrough scored 10 of her 20 points for Hopewell in the first quarter.

Kari Steuer came off the bench for the Vikings to shoot 6-of-6 from the floor for 13 points.

Both teams entered the season looking to rebuild. Hopewell lost most of its key players from a team that went 27-2 and reached the PIAA quarterfinals a year ago.

“They've come a tremendously long way (this season),” said Homziak, who had three sophomores, a freshman and a junior in his starting lineup. “They've gotten better and better throughout the season. That's all I can ask of those kids.”

Knoch also had a young starting lineup. O'Donnell started two sophomores and a freshman, junior and senior.

Sophomore Samantha Logan led the Knights with 11 points. Freshman Celina Sanks, who guarded Walker-Kimbrough for most of the game, added 10.

“I'm pleased with how we finished the year,” O'Donnell said. “I thought we got better and better as the year went on. With a young team, that's all you can ask. These girls worked their butts off all year.”

KNOCH 35Celina Sanks 5-8 0-0 10, Katherine Miller 1-3 0-0 2, Rachel Neff 0-1 0-0 0, Samantha Logan 3-13 2-6 11, Brooke Armahizer 4-12 0-2 8, Amber Henzel 0-1 0-0 0, Heather Cooper 1-3 2-2 4.

Totals: 14-41 4-10 35.

HOPEWELL 65Jharrin Gill 3-7 3-4 10, Shaniya Rivers 1-4 10-15 12, Cassidy Rizzo 1-3 0-0 2, Mandi Rowan 3-11 0-1 6, Raquel Farris 0-5 0-0 0, Kari Steuer 6-6 1-3 13, Kady Becker 0-2 0-0 0, Alaina Altieri 0-0 0-0 0, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough 8-14 4-6 20, Mackenzie Biggs 0-0 0-0 0, Alexis Parish 1-2 0-0 2.

Totals: 23-54 18-28 65.

Knoch 9 9 8 9—35Hopwell 15 14 14 22—653-point goals: Knoch 3 (Logan 3); Hopewell 1 (Gill).