JEFFERSON TWP — There were quite a few swings of momentum in Knoch's game against Freeport Wednesday.

The host Knights, however, had one more.

Knoch used a 13-0 run bridging the second and third quarter, then used a 10-0 spurt to start the fourth quarter in a 53-38 non-section boys basketball victory.

“Obviously, we have struggled shooting the ball,” Knoch coach Josh Shoop said. “But, the one thing that has been consistent is our effort.”

Knoch (8-9) held off a few charges by the Yellowjackets, who lost junior guard and leading scorer Brendan Lynch (14.5 points per game) to an ankle injury late in the first quarter.

“With Lynch getting hurt, that changed the complexion of the game,” said Freeport coach Mike Beale. “Overall, I felt we did a nice job defensively in the first half. The bottom line is we missed five or six layups in the first half.

“You can't do that on the road and can't do that against a team like Knoch,” Beale added.

Freeport (8-6) had used baskets by Tony DeVivo and Ryan Dunn to pull to 20-15 with 2:14 left until halftime.

Knoch's Tavita Lio drained a 3-pointer and a jumper to close out the half, then a three-point play by Jack Boros, a basket by Alex Strezeski and a 3-pointer by Lio to open the third quarter gave the Knights a 33-15 advantage.

After the teams each exchanged a free throw, the Yellowjackets closed out the frame on a 9-0 run — baskets by Robbie Miller, Fred Pastoria, a 3-pointer by Jordan Ziemianski and another score by Pastoria to make it a nine-point game.

Any momentum Freeport might have gained was lost when Knoch countered by scoring the next 10 points in the first 1:58 of the fourth quarter for a 44-25 lead with 6:02 remaining.

“We've been a scrappy team all year,” Beale said. “It's not been from a lack of effort. We're getting better and better. This is a solid group.”

Lio was the lone player in double figures with 15 points, although eight different players scored for Knoch while nine found the scoring column for Freeport.

“Through the season, we've had one guy score a bunch one night and the next night nothing,” Shoop said.

“Tonight, the scoring was balanced. We don't have anyone averaging 10 points a game, which is good because each night, someone else steps up.”

Notes: The Knights have now won six of their past eight games ... Freeport defeated Knoch 52-44 at the Freeport Tournament Dec. 28 ... Knoch's football team, the Allegheny Conference champion and WPIAL Class AAA runner-up, was honored at halftime.

FREEPORT 38Fred Pastoria 2 0-0 4, Rob Palko 1 0-0 2, Brendan Lynch 1 0-0 2, Ryan Dunn 3 0-0 6, Robbie Miller 2 2-2 7, Zane Geist 2 0-0 4, Alex Carson 0 0-0 0, Tony DeVivo 1 1-3 3, Sean Carson 0 1-2 1, Jordan Ziemianski 3 0-0 9.

Totals: 15 4-7 38.

KNOCH 53Austin Miller 2 0-0 6, Jack Boros 2 1-1 5, Alex Strezeski 2 0-0 4, Dakota Bruggeman 2 4-6 8, Tavita Lio 5 3-3 15, Mike Cunningham 0 0-0 0, Marc Vaughan 3 0-0 6, Mike Schenck 1 0-0 2, Andy Tuzikow 3 1-2 7, Phil Kletzli 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 20 9-12 53.

Freeport 5 10 10 13—38Knoch 9 16 9 19—533-point goals: Freeport 4 (Ziemianski 3, Miller); Knoch 4 (Miller 2, Lio 2).

JV: Knoch, 49-33

Friday: Hampton at Knoch

Tuesday: Freeport at Ford City