Laurel High played sound, fundamental basketball last night.

Neshannock did not.

The result was a 65-54 nonsection victory for the Spartans.

“Laurel absolutely outplayed us in every facet of the game,” Lancers coach John Corey said.

Neshannock grabbed an early 5-0 lead in the first quarter, but Laurel answered with a 21-4 run of its own. The Spartans entered halftime with a 35-19 lead.

“I was really pleased with our effort,” Laurel coach Mike Tinstman said. “We brought intensity on defense and we scrapped on the boards.”

Jake Dando and Tyler Forbes led the charge for the Spartans (10-5). Dando recorded a team-high 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Forbes notched 18 markers and four assists.

Chad Long also reached double digits with 10 points.

Laurel was one night removed from its second defeat of the season to WPIAL Section 2-AA leader Rochester, which has beaten the Spartans by a combined 76 points.

“I was disappointed that we weren’t more competitive,” Tinstman said of the Rochester game. “I was happy to see our guys come back and respond. It was a big win for us coming off that difficult loss.”

Neshannock’s Bobby Nittinger netted 24 points for a second consecutive night and now has scored 20 points or more in seven of his last nine games.

“I thought overall our players did a nice job defensively on him,” Tinstman said. “I don’t think we gave him too many open shots.”

The Lancers, who dropped to 12-5 overall, also received 19 points from Joey Fontana.