LEOLA – For the second time in three days, Aberdeen Christian turned in a strong second-half defensive effort to help fuel a boys’ basketball victory.

The Knights used a 20-9 third-quarter surge to pull away from an 11-point halftime lead on the way to a 71-37 win over Leola-Frederick in Lake Region Conference action Thursday night.

“I thought we played a good third quarter,” said Christian coach David Rohrbach. “I would like to see us come out with more urgency at the start of the game and rebound better defensively, but I thought our guys played a good second half.”

The Knights did much the same thing against Warner on Tuesday night, pulling away after a close first half.

Jackson Isakson scored all seven of his points in the third quarter against the Titans. The Knights received points from six different players in the pivotal period.

Ethan Russell and Malek Wieker each scored 20 points to lead Christian. Kaden Clark added eight points and Blake Rich contributed seven.

“We were active on defense and that led us getting out in transition,” Rohrbach said.

Brayden Sumption’s eight points topped Leola-Frederick.

The Knights, who have had three games in the past six days, conclude a busy stretch of games by hosting Britton-Hecla tonight at the Aberdeen Civic Arena. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. following the girls’ contest.

ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN: Andrew Brennan 1 2-2 4, Jackson Isakson 3 0-0 7, Ethan Russell 8 4-5 20, Malek Wieker 9 0-1 20, Kaden Clark 4 0-0 8, Abe Holscher 0 1-2 1, Blake Rich 3 1-2 7, Joey Johnson 1 1-2 4. Totals 29 9-14 71.

LEOLA-FREDERICK: Hans Lapka 2 0-2 4, Mason Hinz 3 0-0 6, Ethan Morlock 2 0-0 5, Vincent Petrich 2 0-0 4, Colton Spitzer 2 0-0 4, Brayden Sumption 3 1-2 8, Sam Vetter 1 0-1 2, Connor Spitzer 2 0-0 4. Totals 17 1-5 37.

Aberdeen Christian 17 31 51 71

Leola-Frederick 13 20 29 37

3-point field goals – Isakson, Wieker 2, Johnson; Morlock, Sumption. Total fouls – Aberdeen Christian 14; Leola-Frederick 12. Rebounds – Aberdeen Christian 24 (Isakson 5). Assists – Aberdeen Christian 16 (Clark 4). Steals – Aberdeen Christian 13 (Wieker 6).