BUFFALO TWP — Defense was the name of the game Monday night as the Freeport girls basketball team was able to come away with a 44-32 win over Knoch.

“The biggest thing is defense,” Freeport coach Fred Soilis said. “We preach defense all the time because that leads to the offense. Defense is what wins the games, not offense.”

Both teams were unwilling to give up ground in the paint early as the Yellowjackets were able to take a 7-4 lead after the first eight minutes of play.

The high pressure from the Yellowjackets on defense in Knoch's offensive zone presented trouble for the Knights, taking away their ability to get the ball up court in a timely fashion.

“We went to a different set and we had more success when we went to a different set,” Knoch coach Chris Andreassi said. “I think we adjusted well as the game went on.”

Freeport took its lead into halftime, 17-12, behind a five-point quarter from Sidney Shemanski. Shemanski ended the day with 18 points, with 11 coming in the final period.

Soilis mentioned how, even though their shots were not falling early, they needed to continue to shoot.

“We just try to be consistent and, even if the shots are not going in, just continue to shoot because we have shooters, and the steals give us the opportunity to do things,” Soilis said. “I thought we stepped up on defense.”

Freeport was 8-of-10 from the free throw line in the final quarter.

Freeport scored 17 points in the final eight minutes, while holding the Knights to 13 to put the Knights away for an eight-point win.

Freeport is scheduled for three more games this week, with playoffs right around the corner.

“Right now it's about playing for a good seed in the playoffs,” Soilis said. “It's about playing for position right now, and so it's one game at a time and we're going to try to take it light on them.”

Freeport moved to 15-3 on the season, while Knoch fell to 8-10.

Samantha and Madeline Clark both added eight points each for the Yellowjackets, while Lauren Cihonski and Abby Shearer put up eight a piece for the Knights.

“Honestly this is the effort they put out last summer and it's the effort they've given all year.” Andreassi said. “It's not really that I learned anything from tonight's performance, but more it just cemented that this is who they are and there is a lot of good things coming in their future if they continue on that path.”

KNOCH 32

Skylar Burkett 0-0 6, Lauren Cihonski 0-0 8, Nevaeh Ewing 2-2 5, Amanda Huckenstein 0-2 0, Jaylee Lassinger 0-0 5, Abby Shearer 0-1 8. Totals: 13 2-5 32.

FREEPORT 44

Samantha Clark 4-6 8, Madeline Clark 3-4 8, Grace Soilis 2-2 5, Sidney Shemanski 2-3 18, Haley Graham 0-0 5. Totals: 14 10-15 44.

Knoch 4 8 7 13 — 32

Freeport7 10 10 17 — 44

3-point goals: Madeline Clark, Grace Soilis, Sidney Skemanski 2, Haley Graham, Skylar Burkett 2, Neveah Ewing, Jaylee Lassinger.

Tuesday: Burrell at Knoch

Wednesday: Freeport at Fox Chapel