Consistency is something that has evaded the Alden-Conger girls’ basketball team all season but the Knights showed what type of damage they can do if they find the answer to that problem like they did Monday against Cleveland in Alden.

The Alden-Conger (11-13 overall, 4-8 Valley) defense hounded Cleveland (5-14 overall, 0-12 Valley) all night and the Knights held the Clippers to only eight first half points as Alden-Conger rolled past Cleveland 57-26.

“We were very aggressive going after the passing lanes and making sure they didn’t get a good, open shot,” said Alden-Conger head basketball coach Gary Newman. “The girls played an outstanding first half defensively.”

The Knights held the Clippers scoreless for 8 minutes, 24 seconds during the first half and limited them to 20 percent shooting. Alden-Conger also forced 25 Cleveland turnovers which resulted in fast break points.

The Knights jumped out to a 39-8 lead at halftime in the rout.

While the Knights defense was impressive, the offense was equally as efficient.

Three players scored in double figures on the night for Alden-Conger. Katie Hallman recorded 16 points, Ariel Keller scored 12 points and Allyssa Maras chipped in 11 points.

Alden-Conger shot 40 percent from the field, but the biggest key that made the Knights offense go was their lack of turnovers. Alden-Conger committed only 12 turnovers and moved the ball around with ease.

“Tonight they took care of the basketball,” Newman said. “They were more patient, found that open girl. When you move the basketball side to side, inside-outside you’re going to find that nice person with a nice 12-foot shot and we were doing that.”

With a win to end the regular season, the Knights now find a familiar opponent waiting for them in the first round of the Section 1A playoffs.

The Knights, for the third straight year, will play Glenville-Emmons on Friday in Alden. Alden-Conger went 2-0 against the Wolverines this year during the regular season.

“We’re gonna show up and the girls are ready,” Newman said. “They know what it means.”

Alden-Conger 57, Cleveland 26

Cleveland 8 18 — 26

Alden-Conger 39 18 — 57

Cleveland scoring: Brooke Phillips 7, Emily Dummer 5, Christi Rohlfing 4, Emily Dembouski 3, Charity Johnson 3, Kylie Krause 2, Molly Zimmerman 2.

Alden-Conger scoring: Katie Hallman 16, Ariel Keller 12, Allyssa Maras 11, Kenzie Martin 7, Anna Skov 6, Taylor Martin 4.