BUFFALO TWP — The Knoch boys basketball team wasn’t going to let Freeport hang around.

The Knights were determined to get back to their winning ways. Using a patient offense and stellar defense, Knoch opened with a 9-2 run en route to a 61-31 Section 1-AAA win Friday night at Freeport high school.

Knights senior forward Matt Zanella said their 40-38 loss to Mars Tuesday night was a big motivator.

“That loss to Mars was difficult for us. We know you can either sit around and pout about it or you can out and use that as fuel and motivation for your next game,” Zanella said. “We wanted to come out and get back to our winning ways.”

Earning another win started with being efficient on offense. Knoch dished out 12 assists and shot 68 percent (25 of 37) from the field. Austin Miller had a team-high for assists, while Stephen Oblich and Chris Kier both handed out two apiece.

David Gallagher, who finished with 13 points, made a 3-pointer 30 seconds in to give the Knights their first basket.

After a layup by Freeport’s Josh Beale, who scored a team-high 11 points, Knoch (12-2, 6-1) scored the next seven points and never trailed.

“The kids like each other and they are very unselfish. That’s what I like,” Knights coach Ron McNabb said. “We stress passing up a good shot to get a great shot. We did that.”

The Yellowjackets (8-6, 2-5) shot 29 percent (seven of 22) from the field and never got into a rhythm.

“You dig yourself a hole early and its a shock-and-awe so to speak with getting adjusted to their pressure,” Yellowjackets coach Mike Beale said. “It took us a little bit. They shot the ball well and that’s an extremely good basketball team.”

Zanella got himself in foul trouble and was replaced by Jim Larrimer, who scored 12 points and added seven rebounds. Knoch was able to continue scoring with Zanella and Miller on the bench and led 35-17 at halftime.

“It’s sure nice when you can get all those points. We were clicking on all cylinders,” Larrimer said. “Our transition game was going good, we weren’t missing our easy shots.”

After playing to a draw in the third quarter, the Knights only allowed one point in the third quarter.

McNabb was pleased with how his team responded.

“We went to practice Wednesday and Thursday and I wasn’t sure what to expect,” McNabb said. “The guys came out Wednesday and worked hard. They came out yesterday and work hard. I was really positive coming into this game.”

KNOCH 61

Austin Miller 2 0-0 4, David Gallagher 5 0-0 13, Stephen Oblich 0 0-0 0, Matt Zanella 8 1-3 13, Chris Kier 3 0-0 6, Jim Larrimer 5 1-6 11, Connor Shinsky 1 2-2 4, Troy Hixson 0 0-0 0, Aiden Albert 2 2-2 4, Mac Christy 0 2-2 2, Austin Hannes 0 0-0 0, Jackson McKee 0 2-2 2. Totals: 25 8-16 61.

FREEPORT 31

Kris Keppel 1 0-0 2, Ryan Weigold 1 4-4 7, Seth Bower 0 0-0, Codey Digiacobbe 2-4 2-5 6, Josh Beale 3 4-6 11, Mason Eddinger 0 0-0 0, Hunter Fennell 1 1-2 3, Eric Davis 1 0-0 2, Noah Shannon 0 0-0 0, Kevin Lynch 0 0-0, Danny Fetchko 0 0-0 0, Jon Wise 0 0-0 0. Totals: 9 11-19 31.

Knoch 21 14 13 13 — 61

Freeport8 9 13 1 — 31

3-point goals: Knoch 3 (Gallagher 3); Freeport 2 (Weigold, Beale)

Tuesday: Kittanning at Knoch; Freeport at Valley