Lydia Giannini’s double-double led a dominant Knights effort in the paint.

“Lydia played a heck of a game tonight,” Eisenhower coach Mike Logue said. “She’s a moose in the paint.”

The Knights (5-10) took advantage of Sheffield’s (2-12) 25 turnovers, converting many into transition baskets.

“The biggest thing is we didn’t take care of the ball,” Sheffield coach Brandon Troutman said. “This has been an issue all season. The effort is there, we’re just not valuing the ball.”

Sheffield’s Mya Grubbs (3) battles for possession against Eisenhower’s Payton Mineweaser (33) and Leah Peterson (30) during their game at Eisenhower High School, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. The Knights defeated the Wolverines, 44-29.

Both teams started cold from the field and the Knights were in foul trouble early as Sheffield was in the bonus with two minutes to go in the first quarter. Eisenhower ended the frame with a slim 1-0 lead.

The Wolverines struggled to break through the Knights’ pressure defense, leading to a spurt of transition baskets in the second quarter. Eisenhower appeared to be pulling away, holding a 21-15 lead with two minutes to play in the half. Sheffield was able to get late buckets from Lexi Lyon and Alyssa Dunham to close out the half trailing 22-19.

The Knights came out swarming in the second half, forcing turnovers on almost every Wolverine possession. Delaney Nizzi had a pair of steals, converting one into a breakaway layup to help Eisenhower push the lead to 30-19.

“I thought Delaney Nizzi had one of her best games this season,” Logue said. “She really saw the court tonight and moved the ball very well.”

In addition to the turnovers, Sheffield was ice cold from the floor. The Wolverines were just 2-17 shooting in the second half, 2-15 in the paint.

Eisenhower's Payton Mineweaser (33) bounces a pass past Sheffield's Mya Grubbs (3) during the third quarter of their game at Eisenhower High School, Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018.

“It’s hard to win when you don’t score,” Troutman said. “We were 2-15 in the paint. The Lakers wouldn’t win doing that.”

Rosemary Nelson hit a free throw at the midpoint of the third quarter to end the run. Sheffield was able to slow some of Eisenhower’s momentum, but the cold shooting prevented the Wolverines from getting back into the game.

Savannah McKown hit a three with 3:20 to go, putting the Knights up 39-25 and effectively ending the game.

Giannini finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and five steals. Emily Wheeler added 12 points and McKown finished with seven.

Lyon led the Wolverines with 10 points, while Marissa Grubbs had seven in the loss.

Sheffield hosts AML North leader Kane Friday, while Eisenhower travels to Iroquios for a Region 3 matchup Monday.

– – –

SHEFFIELD (29)

Mya Grubbs 0-3-4-3, Nelson 0-1-2-1, Marissa Grubbs 2-3-6-7, Leitchenberger 1-0-2-2, Davidson 0-4-4-4, Dunham 1-0-0-2, Lyon 5-0-4-10, Schmader 0-0-0-0, Wynn 0-0-0-0, Lauffenberger 0-0-0-0, Pierce 0-0-0-0, Bailey 0-0-0-0

EISENHOWER (44)

Nizzi 1-1-2-3, Wheeler 5-2-4-12, Mineweaser 2-0-3-4, Kuzminski 0-1-2-1, McKown 3-0-0-7, Giannini 7-3-7-17, Frederick 0-0-0-0, Renninger 0-0-0-0, Smelko 0-0-0-0, Chase 0-0-0-0, Spicer 0-0-0-0, Greene 0-0-0-0, Peterson 0-0-0-0, Garris 0-0-0-0, Courtney 0-0-0-0

By Quarters

Sheffield 11 8 4 6 – 29

Eisenhower 12 10 10 12 – 44

Three-point FGs: Sheffield – None; Eisenhower (1) – McKown

– – –

JV EISENHOWER 43, SHEFFIELD 10

Eisenhower held Sheffield scoreless through the second and third quarters and the Knights ran away with a 43-10 junior varsity win.

Lilee Renninger had 14 points and Delaney Chase had 12 points for Eisenhower.

– – –

SHEFFIELD (10)

Lauffenberger 1-0-0-2, Leichtenberger 0-2-2-2, Pierce 1-1-2-3, Dunham 1-1-1-3, Schmader 0-0-0-0, Nelson 0-0-0-0, Sheffield 0-0-0-0, Kiser 0-0-0-0, Gregorson 0-0-0-0, Bailey 0-0-0-0

EISENHOWER (43)

Frederick 1-1-4-3, Renninger 7-0-3-14, Smelko 2-0-0-4, Chase 6-0-0-12, Kuzminski 2-4-4-8, Courtney 1-0-0-2, Greene 0-0-0-0

By Quarters

Sheffield 3 0 0

Eisenhower 8 10 12 13 – 43

Three-point FGs: None