DORCHESTER — If there was any doubts about Catholic Memorial’s standing atop the Eastern Mass. rankings, they were extinguished Tuesday.

Ryan Higgins scored 20 points while Aidan Pires added 14 as No. 1 Catholic Memorial defeated Catholic Conference rival No. 12 BC High, 77-58, on Tuesday night at McNeice Pavilion.

The Knights (5-0, 1-0) used a 25-point second quarter to gain separation on the Eagles, who trailed by three after one.

“This was our best overall game of the season,” Catholic Memorial coach Denis Tobin said. “We played well at both ends of the floor against a very good team.”

The Knights led 17-14 after one and 27-22 with 3:02 left in the first half before they got breathing room. Higgins drilled two 3-pointers and James Larranaga hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to put the Knights up 42-28 at the half.

Catholic Memorial stretched its edge in the opening moments of the third quarter. Jacob Cofield (12 points) connected on a put back, Pires had a runner, and Higgins came storming in for a put back of his own to put the visitors on top 48-31. Julian Sustache tried to keep BC High within striking distance, but Matt St. Martin battled through traffic on the break and finished a three-point play to give the Knights a 58-37 lead late in the third.

Freshman Josiah Adamson – who scored 22 points in a win over No. 6 Newton North on Friday – spun in the lane before finishing at the rim and then moments later went up and under for the layup to leave the Knights firmly in control with four minutes remaining.

BC High’s Julian Sustache (32) scrambles for the ball with Catholic Memorial’s Graham Horowitz. (Chris Christo/Boston Herald)