HOVEN – Despite being undefeated, Aberdeen Christian felt it needed to step it up after a close call last weekend and the Knights did just that Friday night.

Second-rated Christian exploded for 29 first-quarter points and rolled to an 81-36 non-conference boys’ basketball win.

“We’re really happy to get back on track after last week. Oakes really battled us well and we knew we needed to clean up our defense and our offensive decision-making,” said Christian coach Matt Rohrbach. “We had a good week of practice and I believe we were rewarded tonight with the 21 assists we had as a team.”

The Knights scored the first six points of the game and were off and running after that.

Ethan Russell scored eight points, Malek Wieker seven and Konnar Furman six in the opening quarter when Christian took control.

It was a memorable night for Wieker who scored 17 points, including his 1,000th career point, hauled down 12 rebounds and dished out five assists.

“Congrats to him,” Rohrbach said of the senior point-guard’s milestone accomplishment. “If there is a kid that works harder than Wieker perfecting his craft, I would be scared to meet him.”

Russell also had 17 points, Furman followed with 14, and Jackson Isakson added 11. Furman also grabbed 11 rebounds as the Knights racked up 54 rebounds en route to the victory.

“We take great pride on winning the rebounding battle as well as the second-chance balls,” Rohrbach said. “Tonight we got back to our identity. We need to make sure this game sets the tone for the next couple of weeks as we have a very fun, crazy schedule.”

Alex Tanner led the Battlers with 12 points, while Ryder Falkenhagen and Landon Larson each contributed 10.

Christian, 6-0 on the season, is right back at this afternoon hosting Leola-Frederick at the Civic Arena. Tip-off will take place around 2:30 following the girls’ contest.

ABERDEEN CHRISTIAN (6-0): Andrew Brennan 3 0-0 6, Jackson Isakson 4 1-2 11, Ethan Russell 6 5-5 17, Malek Wieker 7 2-2 17, Kaden Clark 3 0-0 6, Konnar Furman 7 0-0 14, Ellis Russell 3 0-0 6, Joey Johnson 2 0-0 4. Totals 35 8-9 81.

POTTER COUNTY (0-7): Ryder Falkenhagen 4 2-4 10, Jhett Simon 1 2-2 4, Landson Larson 4 0-0 10, Alex Tanner 5 2-3 12. Totals 14 6-9 36.

Aberdeen Christian 29 49 68 81

Potter County 10 18 31 36

3-point field goals – Isakson 2, Wieker; Larson 2. Total fouls – Aberdeen Christian 8; Potter County 9. Rebounds – Aberdeen Christian 54 (Wieker 12, Furman 11). Turnovers – Aberdeen Christian 13. Assists – Aberdeen Christian 21 (Wieker 5, Brennan 4, Isakson 4, Clark 4). Blocked Shots – Aberdeen Christian 2 (Russell 2). Steals – Aberdeen Christian 10 (Clark 4).