FAIRVIEW, Erie County — Defense was the driving force behind Knoch's girls basketball team reaching the state playoffs. Through three quarters Saturday afternoon, it had the Knights headed straight for a Class 4A first-round victory.

District 10 champion Fairview had scored just 17 points in the first 24 minutes. Then, almost like flipping a switch, shots that had been missed began to fall for the Tigers.

Fairview made four field goals in the final period, all from 3-point range, and its defense held Knoch to a single basket as the Knights' season came to an end with a 33-26 loss on the road.

"Our halfcourt man-to-man defense worked great for three quarters," said Knoch coach Shane McGraw. "Fairview started hitting shots late and that's what it came down to."

The Tigers' rally actually started late in the third quarter. Adah Fuller's two free throws had given Knoch a 24-13 edge before Fairview's Breanna Heidt scored her only two field goals of the game to pull the Tigers within 24-17 with eight minutes left.

Ella Pizzo, a reserve for the Tigers, hit a trey with 6:02 remaining. Ella Garrity and Riley Sholes followed with 3-pointers and the Knights were suddenly trailing 26-24.

Karlee Buterbaugh's basket pulled the Knights even with 3:26 left in the game, but Knoch would not score again. The Knights ended the game on the short end of a 20-2 run. In the final period, they made just one of eight attempts from the field.

Fairview took the lead for good with another trey from Sholes, making it 29-26 with 2:15 left in the game.

"We rushed a few shots early in the fourth quarter, but other than that, I was ok with the shot selection," said McGraw. "Playing with the lead isn't always easy. I think we tightened up a bit late in the game."

Prior to the fourth quarter, Fairview (21-5) had made just two of 11 attempts from beyond the arc.

"Late in the game, our girls just took the shots that were open," said Fairview coach Aaron Garrity. "At the other end, we started limiting them (Knights) to one shot and done. We knew what Knoch was capable of and credit to them, they held us down for three quarters."

Knoch finishes the campaign with a 15-12 record.

"It was a great year," said McGraw. "Any time you can get to the state playoffs, it's a big deal. It's just so important to get a home game in the first round. We played well at home this year, but on the road, not so much."

KNOCH 26

Adah Fuller 2 4-4 9, Neah Ewing 4 0-2 11, Karlee Buterbaugh 2 2-2 6, Naturelle Ewing 0 0-0 0, Lauren Bowser 0 0-0 0, Aubrey Spencer 0 0-0 0. Totals: 8 6-8 26.

FAIRVIEW 33

Paige Garrity 1 0-2 2, Ella Garrity 2 2-2 8, Jillian Agnello 0 1-2 1, Riley Sholes 3 0-0 8, Breanna Heidt 2 2-2 6, Ella Pizzo 2 2-2 8, Caiden Herman 0 0-0 0. Totals: 10 7-10 33.

Knoch 4 15 5 2 — 26

Fairview 6 5 6 16 — 33

3-point goals: Knoch 4 (Ne.Ewing 3, Fuller); Fairview 6 (E.Garrity 2, Sholes 2, Pizzo 2)