JEFFERSON TWP — The key to success this season for Derry's girls basketball team has been balanced scoring.

The Trojans managed a heavy dose of it Wednesday and it proved to be too much for host Knoch in a 69-53 non-section loss for the Knights.

Lauren Felix (19 points), Rachel Garris (15) and Destiny Roberts (15) each scored in double digits for Derry.

“Our guards played well and it opened things up inside for us,” said Derry coach Rich Zemba. “We were able to wear them (Knights) down with Roberts, a 6-foot-1 freshman. When we are able to have balanced scoring, that's when we've put up wins this season.”

The Trojans (4-4) won the battle for rebounds 46-34. Many of the boards came on the offensive end and turned into second-chance points.

Roberts grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. Her putback of a missed 3-pointer handed the Trojans a 43-28 advantage with 3:27 left in the third period.

Knoch faced a double-digit deficit for much of the second half. There were several brief reprieves, however. Senior guard Ally Riley sank a bucket to trim the Trojans' lead to 49-40 with 5:32 left. Moments later, she drained a 3-pointer to bring the Knights to within 54-45, but that was as close as the Knights would get.

Emily Fraser scored nine of her team-high 14 points to keep the Knights within striking distance in the first half at 34-24. Riley ended the night with 12 points.

Knoch (0-8) made just 5-of-19 free throws and 22-of-63 field goal attempts.

Meanwhile, Derry had 40 attempts from the charity stripe and made 24.

“We just need to start executing better, especially with shooting layups and foul shots,” said Knoch coach Dave Peters. “We've lost some really close games this year, but we keep working each day.”

Since beginning last season 7-7, the Knights have suffered defeat in 15 out of 16 games.

“We're young. At one point tonight, I had four sophomores on the floor,” said Peters, “but this group won't quit working. The girls have big hearts.”

Knoch will compete at the St. Joseph Tournament starting Monday. The Knights are the defending champions of the event.

DERRY 69

Rachel Garris 5 5-8 15, Lauren Felix 6 5-7 19, Renee Rectenwald 0 1-2 1, Danielle Zemba 1 1-5 3, Taylor Wambold 1 0-0 3, Amanda Mylant 2 4-4 8, Morgan Kelly 2 1-4 5, Destiny Roberts 4 7-10 15, Madeline Johnston 0 0-0 0, Kylee Pollard 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 24-40 69.

KNOCH 53

Carly Burdett 2 0-5 4, Maddie Canel 0 1-4 1, Gabby Fennell 3 0-0 6, Emily Fraser 6 0-0 14, Kayla Grafton 2 0-0 4, Casey Kretzer 1 3-5 5, Alyssa Logan 2 1-5 5, Allie Megahan 1 0-0 2, Ally Riley 5 0-0 12. Totals: 22 5-19 53.

Derry 17 17 12 23 — 69

Knoch11 13 9 20 — 53

3-point goals: Derry 3 (Felix 2, Wambold); Knoch 4 (Fraser 2, Riley 2).

Monday: Knoch at St. Joseph Tournament