JEFFERSON TWP — Highlands and Knoch have turned in some classic meetings on the hardwood over the years. You can place Tuesday’s clash among them.

The Golden Rams chased the host Knights for almost the entire game, finally caught them in the fourth quarter before defense and free throws helped Knoch pull out a 68-65 thriller.

Knoch’s Jackson Bauman shows his excitement after hitting a 3-pointer against Highlands in a WPIAL Class 4A Section 1 basketball game at Knoch High School on Tuesday January 16, 2024.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)

“We hadn’t beaten Highlands since 2020 and I think it was a mental thing,” said Knights coach Alan Bauman. “It came down to stops on defense and timely shots at the other end. It was nice to see this team continue to grow tonight.”

Knoch’s Jackson Bauman hits a shot over Highlands’ Thomas Callendar in a WPIAL Class 4A Section 1 basketball game at Knoch High School on Tuesday January 16, 2024.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)

Zarian Finucan scored three points in the game, all crucial makes at the free throw line in overtime. He went 2-for-2 to break a 65-65 deadlock with 43 seconds left.

Knoch #22 Kaden Spencer blocks a shot from Highlands #15 Bradyn Foster in a WPIAL Class 4A Section 1 basketball game at Knoch High School on Tuesday January 16, 2024.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)

Highlands called a pair of late timeouts, the second with 15 seconds remaining to set up what they hoped would be a tying basket.

Knoch #44 Zane Pacek gets fouled by Highlands #15 Bradyn Foster in a WPIAL Class 4A Section 1 basketball game at Knoch High School on Tuesday January 16, 2024.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)

“We were hoping they (Knights) would step out to cover our guys on the outside and we could get the ball inside to Bradyn (Foster) for a layup,” said Highlands coach Corey Dotchin.

Knoch head coach Alan Bauman coaches against Highlands in a WPIAL Class 4A Section 1 basketball game at Knoch High School on Tuesday January 16, 2024.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)

But Knoch took away that option, leaving Cam Reigard to attempt a trey from two steps behind the arc that didn’t fall. Knoch controlled the rebound and Kaden Spencer added one more free throw at the other end and the Knights celebrated a clutch section win four days after losing to Hampton on a buzzer-beater.

Knoch #22 Kaden Spencer shoots over Highlands #23 Jordyn Tavarez in a WPIAL Class 4A Section 1 basketball game at Knoch High School on Tuesday January 16, 2024.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)

Teegan Finucan led all scorers with a career-high 30 points, including 18 in the second half. His effort included five treys.

Knoch #22 Kaden Spencer fights for a loose ball with Highlands #2 Ali Shareef in a WPIAL Class 4A Section 1 basketball game at Knoch High School on Tuesday January 16, 2024.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)

“I didn’t start the season off too well, but I shot my way through it,” Teegan said. “Everything we do is at a higher level from last year. Even in practice, every day, it’s attack, attack.”

Knoch’s bench goes crazy after a 3-pointer against Highlands in a WPIAL Class 4A Section 1 basketball game at Knoch High School on Tuesday January 16, 2024.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)

“That was the real Teegan tonight,” said Coach Bauman.

Knoch #44 Zane Pacek grabs a rebound over Highlands #4 Thomas Callendar in a WPIAL Class 4A Section 1 basketball game at Knoch High School on Tuesday January 16, 2024.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)

The Golden Rams (8-5, 3-2) also had a chance to win at the end of regulation. Jordan Tavarez had tied the game at 61 with a drive and basket with 2:37 left. After a Knoch turnover handed possession back to Highlands, it took nearly 90 seconds off the clock before Dotchin called a timeout with 11.3 seconds remaining. Zarian Finucan deflected a pass into the paint, Jackson Bauman got the steal and dribbled across midcourt before his desperation shot at the buzzer was off the mark, forcing the extra period.

Knoch #2 Derek Lang plays tight defense on Highlands #2 Ali Shareef in a WPIAL Class 4A Section 1 basketball game at Knoch High School on Tuesday January 16, 2024.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)

“Zarian’s a senior and has sacrificed a lot for this program,” said Coach Bauman. “That deflection and his free throws in overtime were very big for us tonight.”

Knoch #44 Zane Pacek can’t believe he was called for a foul against Highlands in a WPIAL Class 4A Section 1 basketball game at Knoch High School on Tuesday January 16, 2024.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)

Derek Lang scored 12 points for Knoch (11-3, 4-1) and Jackson Bauman had 11.

Foster scored 25 for the Golden Rams, who erased a 42-32 deficit with 5:17 left in the third quarter.

Knoch #0 Jackson McCool tries to block a shot from Highlands #15 Bradyn Foster in a WPIAL Class 4A Section 1 basketball game at Knoch High School on Tuesday January 16, 2024.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)

Knoch #3 Jackson Bauman just misses on a shot at the end of regulation against Highlands in a WPIAL Class 4A Section 1 basketball game at Knoch High School on Tuesday January 16, 2024.(Justin Guido/Special to the Eagle)

HIGHLANDS 65

Cameron Reigard 2 6-7 12, Tommy Callender 1 2-2 5, Bradyn Foster 9 6-7 25, Jordyn Tavarez 6 6-6 18, Troy Bielak 2 0-0 5. Totals: 20 20-22 65.

KNOCH 68

Derek Lang 4 0-0 12, Jackson Bauman 3 4-6 11, Zane Pacek 2 0-0 4, Teegan Finucan 10 5-7 30, Kaden Spencer 2 1-2 6, Zarian Finucan 0 3-4 3, Vincent DeFelice 0 2-2 2, Jackson McCool 0 0-0 0. Totals: 21 15-21 68.

Highlands 15 12 23 11 4 — 65

Knoch 17 16 21 7 7 — 68

3-point goals: Highlands 5 (Reigard 2, Callender, Foster, Bielak); Knoch 11 (T.Finucan 5, Lang 4, Bauman, Spencer).

Saturday: Knoch at Armstrong