Photo by Kim North Bridgeport’s Jaleel Vincent shoots over top of Toronto’s Austin Buchanan (11) during first quarter action Tuesday night on Frank Baxter Court inside the John J. Havlicek Gymnasium. Vincent scored 21 points but the Bulldogs fell, 65-48.

WOLFHURST — It has been a productive couple of days for Toronto.

The Red Knights posted a 65-48 win over Bridgeport on Frank Baxter Court at John J. Havlicek Gymnasium Tuesday night. The lopsided triumph comes on the heels of a 71-21 dismantling of Weirton on Saturday night.

The win was the eighth in 11 starts for Toronto against a rugged schedule. Coach Sean Tucker’s charges will return to action Friday night, hosting Weir.

Bridgeport, meanwhile, suffered just its second loss in nine starts. Coach Don Cash’s crew will look to snap a two-game slide Friday at Steubenville Catholic Central.

Toronto’s latest triumph was delivered by a first-half clinic produced by the Red Knights.

Tucker’s squad employed a suffocating halfcourt defense along with some impressive transition offense in rolling to a 42-16 advantage at intermission. To their credit, the Bulldogs displayed a higher level of energy and an effective press in the second half but could come no closer than the final score.

“I was really happy with our defense in the first half,” Tucker offered. “It also led to some easy transition scores. We really ran the floor well and found the open man.

“We got a little careless at times in the second half against their pressure,” he added. “But give Bridgeport credit. They played extremely hard in the second half.”

Toronto surged to a 23-12 lead after one quarter.

The Red Knights forced five Bulldog miscues in the stanza while exhibiting fine offensive balance as six Knights donated points. Colt Joynson and Austin Buchanan led the way with six and five points, respectively.

The Toronto lead ballooned in the second quarter as the hosts went ice cold from the floor, netting just two buckets in the frame while committing four more turnovers. Landon Grimes tallied six points in the period for the Jefferson Countians.

Toronto maintained a 53-31 cushion entering the fourth quarter.

“We had issues dealing with their halfcourt defense. We didn’t respond well to their pressure,” Cash said. “They also got a lot of easy buckets. Their transition game really hurt us.

“Our effort was much better in the second half and our press was effective at times,” he added. “Toronto is a very good team and they have played a very tough schedule.”

Johnson led a trio of Toronto double-digit scorers with 20 points. Buchanan was next with 14 points while Grimes checked in with 13 markers.

“Our team is battle-tested. We have played a demanding schedule,” Tucker said. “These guys really love each other. They are fun to coach.”

Junior ace Jaleel Vincent turned in another strong effort for Bridgeport, pouring in a game-high 21 points. All-Ohio gridder Jaki Threet was his top support with eight tallies.

Both teams were guilty of 14 turnovers.