JEFFERSON TWP — There's no place like home.

At least that's what the Knoch girls basketball team was hoping entering Thursday's game with Kittanning.

The Knights had dropped their previous two section home games to Indiana and Mars and were looking to make a stand against the Wildcats.

Trailing Kittanning 30-24 entering the final period, the Knights went on a 20-8 run in the final eight minutes to claim a 44-38 Section 1-AAA decision.

"We've had some tough luck lately at home," said Knoch coach Curt Vasas. "It was nice to get a win here against a good team, and I believe that's what Kittanning is."

Knoch took the lead for good with 3:04 remaining when Lizz King hit a 2-pointer to give her team a 37-35 lead. But it was a great individual effort by Abby Marshall that helped to keep the Knights in front.

With 1:32 left, Knoch's Megan Gray stepped to the free throw line with the Knights ahead, 39-35.

Gray missed the front end of a 1-and-1, but Marshall battled for the rebound along the baseline. The senior forward got possession and passed the ball out near the top of the key.

Twenty-four seconds later, Gray was back at the line, this time draining both free throws for a 41-35 lead with 1:08 to go.

"That was a huge sequence for us," said Vasas. "Abby had to chase that rebound down and then she kept her balance along the baseline. That's the kind of play that wins basketball games."

Marshall came up big several times during the game. She ended with 15 points, including eight points in the opening quarter, and six rebounds.

Kittanning (11-6, 3-5) committed 24 turnovers in the game, with six of them coming in the fourth quarter when the team got off only six field goal attempts.

"We just had too many turnovers," said Wildcats coach John Odrechowski.

"Our guards, Megan Gray and Pam Gagen, just turned up the heat on defense for us late in the game," said Vasas. "Every (Kittanning) pass seemed to be deflected or ended up in a turnover."

King added 10 points for Knoch (12-4, 6-2), including three crucial baskets in the final period.

Kittanning's Jill Emberg, who averages 17.6 points per game, was held to 12.

KITTANNING 38Rebecca Carlson 3 2-2 9, Jill Emberg 4 4-6 12, Hillary Jackson 1 1-2 4, Liz Lambert 3 1-2 9, Carly Ochs 0 4-4 4, Ann Colligan 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 11 12-16 38.

KNOCH 44Megan Gray 1 2-5 4, Abby Marshall 5 3-5 15, Pam Gagen 4 0-0 8, Sara Montgomery 1 1-4 3, Sarah Cooper 0 4-4 4, Lizz King 4 0-1 10, Kristen Gagen 0 0-0 0.

Totals: 15 10-19 44.

Kittanning 9 13 8 8—38Knoch 12 5 7 20—443-point goals: Kittanning 4 (Lambert 2, Jackson, Carlson); Knoch 4 (King 2, Marshall 2)

JV: Knoch 42-25 (Knoch-Protzman and Hutterer 8 points)

Monday: Knoch at Valley