Junior Kael Hunt made 9 of 10 free throws and Thakari Warren was 5 of 6 at the line to put the game away.

“I thought the play of our guards Warren and Hunt was just outstanding tonight,” Eisenhower head coach Ryan Mangini said. “Their free throw shooting was critical down the stretch.”

Eisenhower shook off a 14-5 run to start the game by the visiting Cardinals before battling back for the win.

The Knights used the hot shooting hand of senior guard Curt Darling who had a pair of 3-pointers and 12 points in the first half to keep the game close.

Times Observer Photo by Steve Younger Eisenhower’s Kael Hunt (14) eyes the floor.

Eisenhower also came out shooting in the third quarter as the Knights went on an 18-6 run behind Darling who added another pair of 3s. He would finish with 25 points to take high-scoring honors.

Eisenhower used that run to take the lead for good at the end of the third as the Knights opened up a 43-35 lead behind Darling and junior teammate Wyatt Lookenhouse who chipped in 18 points himself.

“I thought the kids did a great job battling back,” Mangini said. “We were down a player and had a couple players fighting nagging injuries; just a great team win.”

The Knights also took the jayvee game 31-22. Leading the way for the Knights was Casey Seymour with 10 points.