Kevin Lazdowsky scored 20 points Friday night and Scranton’s defense limited visiting Abington Heights to a five-point first quarter on the way to knocking off the two-time defending Division 1 champions, 56-43, on Opening Night of the Lackawanna League boys basketball season.

The Knights ended a 23-game league winning streak by the Comets, who last lost a Lackawanna game to Scranton, Prep, 51-45, Jan. 9, 2018.

Lazdowsky has been named PNC Bank Player of the Game for both NEPABasketball.com/NEPA’s ESPN radio broadcasts of Scranton games this season. He had 11 points in the first half to help the Knights to a 26-17 lead and made a variety of other contributions beyond his scoring.

Scranton scored 9 of the first 12 points in the second half to open a 35-20 lead, then sealed the win by putting together a quick burst to end the third quarter and start the fourth.

Abington Heights ran off eight straight points late in the third quarter and got within seven twice before Patrick McCormack hit the first of his three 3-pointers at the buzzer.

The Knights made it five points in a matter of seconds when Lazdowsky scored in the lane to open the fourth quarter for a 42-30 lead.

Corey Perkins, the only Abington Heights player to score in double figures, answered with a basket, but suffered an injury on the play and left the game with 7:21 remaining and the Comets trailing by 10.

Abington Heights never got any closer.

McCormack hit back-to-back 3-pointers before the midway point in the quarter to create the largest lead at 52-34.

Jason Shields had 17 points and A.J. Dinterman added 10 for the Knights.

Scranton won for the fourth time in five games to improve to 6-3 overall. Abington Heights (4-5) suffered its fourth loss in five games.