Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger Eisenhower’s Kael Hunt moves the ball up the court during Tuesday’s nonleague game against Erie First Christian in Russell.

RUSSELL –The Eisenhower boys basketball team was in control through three quarters of Tuesday’s nonleague game.

The Knights couldn’t sustain it in the final period, however.

Erie First Christian outscored the Knights 28-8 in the final period en route to a 68-57 victory.

Sam Gonzalez drilled six 3-pointers on his way to 26 points, Evan Montefiori had 19 and Jesse Jong added 13 for the Eagles.

Wyatt Lookenhouse poured in a game-high 27 points and Curt Darling added 14 for Eisenhower, which led 29-21 at halftime and 49-40 after three periods.

“It was really a tale of three strong quarters by us,” said Knights head coach Ryan Mangini, “but having not faced their pressure with the press forced us into some bad decisions with the ball, and turnovers hurt us.

“We really only have a couple guys that have faced that kind of pressure at the varsity level. We just have to learn to close out a team. We will get better, but I’m proud of our guys. I thought Wyatt, Curt Darling and Kyler Black were strong on the boards for us.”

ERIE FIRST CHRISTIAN (68)

Montefiori 7 3 19, Jong 5 0 11, Gonzalez 10 0 26, Myers 0 0 0, Shreve 0 0 0, Number 1 0 2, Schrieber 0 0 0, Collin 3 2 8. Totals 26 5 68.

EISENHOWER (57)

Darling 5 3 14, Black 0 5 5, Venman 0 0 0, Hunt 1 4 6, Lookenhouse 12 3 27, Warren 2 0 5. Totals 20 15 57.

3-point goals–Montefiori 2, Jong, Gonzalez 6, Darling, Warren.

Erie First Christian 12 9 21 26 — 68

Eisenhower 18 11 20 8 — 57