JEFFERSON TWP - Knoch's section clash with Highlands Tuesday night was a very physical contest.

But the Knights have made a habit of getting the better of their opponents, no matter the circumstances.

Knoch senior center Ryan Hollihan scored a game-high 24 points and the Knights outscored the Rams 25-5 from the free throw line in a 67-52 decision.

"Our guards didn't play that well tonight," said Knoch coach Les Shoop. "The play of our big guys (Hollihan, Eric Czech and Bill Elliot) was the difference in the game."

Highlands trailed 41-31 with 90 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Knoch used that time to post a 7-0 run for a 48-31 lead entering the final period.

The Rams scored 21 points in the game's final eight minutes, but frequent trips to the free throw line allowed the Knights (10-1, 4-0) to maintain a comfortable advantage.

"Highlands played hard the whole game, but we were still able to win by 15 points," Shoop said.

The action was physical throughout but became even more intense in the second half, with bodies hitting the floor on several occasions.

Highlands paid dearly for the rough play, as it was whistled for 21 personal fouls and had two players foul out. Knoch was called for just 11 fouls.

The Knights scored 37 second-half points, including 20 from the free throw line.

"It's hard to win a game when a team shoots that many free throws against you," said Highlands coach Rick Falter. "But you've got to give Knoch credit, too. They're a good team."

Hollihan scored 16 of his points in the second half.

"We knew we'd have to do a good job defending (Hollihan)," said Falter. "But we had a few breakdowns when he had two or three baskets in a row."

The game got off to a slow start as neither team scored in the first 2:30.

Knoch missed its first five shots from the field before rebounding for a 13-8 lead after one period.

Jordan Shoop and Tim Hickey both added eight points for Knoch.

The Rams (2-11, 1-4) had a trio of players reach double digits in points: Wade Edwards with 17, including 15 in the second half, Joe Lucchino with 14 and Dane Porter with 13.

"This is the seventh game in a row where I felt we played well," said Falter. "But every time, there's one part of our game that hurts us."

HIGHLANDS 52

Mark Errico 3 0-0 7, Joe Lucchino 7 0-0 14, Nathan Ballard 0 1-2 1, Dane Porter 5 2-6 13, Wade Edwards 6 2-4 17, Michael Finley 0 0-0 0, Cory Bushman 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 5-12 52.

KNOCH 67

Scott Muska 2 2-2 6, Eric Czech 2 0-0 4, Ryan Ziacik 3 0-0 8, Jordan Shoop 1 6-10 8, Ryan Hollihan 8 8-12 24, Tim Hickey 1 6-8 8, Curtis Compton 0 2-2 2, Bill Elliot 2 1-2 7, Dave Rickard 0 0-0 0. Totals: 19 25-36 67.

3-point goals:

Edwards 3, Porter, Errico; Ziacik 2, Elliot 2.

JV:

Knoch 58-49 (K-Rob Briggs 31 points; H-Larry Alexander 16).

Today:

North Hills @ Knoch