Top-ranked City opened its 2010-11 boys basketball season with a battle, on Wednesday in Owings Mills, as the Knights staved off a fierce challenge from McDonogh before prevailing, 68-65.
McDonogh (3-2) had a chance to tie with 1:30 to play and again with 18 seconds left, but could not get the equalizing long-range jumper.
University of Maryland bound Nick Faust led all scorers with 21 points and Kayel Locke paced McDonogh with 17.
The Knights also got 16 points from Mike Cheatham and nine for Charles Tapper. BJ Andrews and Robbie Weingard each netted 16 points for the Eagles.
